Cobham went into today's game with confidence from last weeks win against Chobham, knowing how important a win at home would be with Thanet and Wimbledon close behind.
There were again a number of changes to the team due to unavailability; Paul Mayer came in at tight head for Richard Nunn, in the 2ndrow Tom Webb came in for Billy Davison and Leo Coates for the Injured Tristan Lee. In the backs Richard Jackson replaced the unavailable Kevin Fisher. The bench saw a return of Chris Gibbons and James Macdonald to the squad and Doug Rodman making his debut for the 1stxv.
Cobham got the 1st points on the board with a penalty kick from Luke Flower; Cobham 3-0
Cobham then got the next points with a 2nd penalty from Luke Flower to take the score to 6-0. Hove had a couple of penalty kicks which they missed but finally got on the score sheet to make the score 6-3.
Hove then got the 1st try of the match from wing Seb Eubank who with good pace and strength beat the Cobham defence out wide. The conversion missed. Cobham 6 Hove 8
From the re start Cobham got straight back into the game with a try from Skipper Arran Cowell. A break in midfield with Richard Jack beating the defence, popping to the supporting Josh Brown who went just short of the line but was able to off load to the Skipper Cowell to score with Luke Flower adding the extras. Cobham 13 Hove 8
Cobham then got the next score out wide. A break down the far side of the pitch and forwards and back linking up sent Billy Bates to score in the corner. Luke Flower adding the extras from out wide. Cobham 20 Hove 8
After half time, Cobham got the 1st points of the 2nd half with a penalty kick from Luke Flower. The 2nd half was a mixed bag from Cobham with a number of try opportunities they could not convert, but without the ball they defended well. Again new combinations were taking time to come together in the forwards but Leo Coates and Tom Webb did a good job in the line with Hooker Ed Turner. Doug Rodman came on to make his debut and add fresh legs replacing Josh Brown, who had put himself round the park well, and join up for another new back row combination with Matt Johnson and Leon Van Niekerk .
Hove to their credit were to make the match a lot closer than Cobham would probably have liked. Two tries out wide where taken well by Eubank to get his hat trick, but crucially for Cobham only one conversion was achieved.
Final Score 23-20.
Cobham will take plenty from this match as the young side build confidence and look forward to the trip to Juddians next weekend. Cobham are the only side to have beaten Juddians this season so will be expecting a warm welcome from their hosts.
If you can travel to Juddians next week all support is very welcome and appreciated by the players.
Cobham
1 Andy Alexander
2 Ed Turner
3 Paul Mayer
4 Leo Coates
5 Tom Webb
6 Josh Brown
7 Matt Johnson
8 Leon Van NieKerk
9 Rob Kennard
10 Luke Flower
11 Charlie Rooke
12 Richard Jackson
13 Arran Cowell (Captain)
14 Billy Bates
15 Oli Brown
16 Chris Gibbons
17 Doug Rodman
18 James Macdonald
Arran Cowell 1 Try
Billy Bates 1 Try
Luke Flower 2 Conversions 3 Penalties
