1st hold on to record third victory of campaign...
This season match reports continue to be authored by Paul Hickson who
is a Partner at Seniors' sponsor Menzies, to whom we are as ever hugely
endebted. If you like Paul's creative writing, you should also try his
creative accounting...
Although Cobham had met Sutton & Epsom in many Surrey Cup games it was believed, by all concerned, that this was the first time they had met each other in a league match before.
It could nearly have been considered to be a friendly with Chris Gibbons ex Sutton & Epsom, hooking for Cobham and Gary Nash, ex Cobham, propping for Sutton & Epsom not forgetting to mention, Andy Maguire Cobham coach had been a captain of Sutton & Epsom in the nineties. He had to withstand some banter from the home supporters as he toured the touchline.
Leo Coates was making his debut in the second row and Luke Flower took the number 10 jersey from Arran Cowell to allow him to play outside centre. Richard Jackson made his first start as the inside centre. You know S & E have been in higher leagues because they have a stand, a commentator and they charge admission. However,with the better record this season Cobham were not going to be overawed and as in previous matches Cobham started strongly. Joe Goddard has played every match this season and his jumping and catching has been outstanding and it was from one of those collections that Cobham drove the maul towards the S & E line for Simon Ackroyd to touch down. Cowell easily converted 0-7 after just 10 minutes.
Signal loud music and said commentator confirming the score. Cobham lost Shepard soon after and with only one backs replacement scrum half, Will Avery found himself on the wing.
Luke Flower was kicking well and the back line occasionally sparked but after 30 minutes a penalty to S &E saw their scrum half Munford pull back three points to make it 3-7.
After 35 minutes we thought that might be the final score when the Ref blew his whistle because he had himself gone down. However with assistance from Cobham Physio 'Sliver' ( as reported in the programme) he was soon back on his feet and signalling a try as S & E created some space for their second row Symonds to touch down. With Munford again being successful Cobham had seen their lead disappear 10-7 as half time came.
The sun was shining at Rugby lane but there was a wind as well and Cobham were going to obtain the benefit of that in the second half.
After 50 minutes Cobham were awarded a penalty at some range out but Cowell made it look easy to tie the scores and that score line probably confirmed how tight the match was with neither side being able to impose themselves.
Will Avery provided a match saving tackle to stem a break away from S & E centre and then Luke Flower's attempted drop kick was charged down but a resulting penalty gave Cowell the opportunity to put Cobham back in the lead 10-13.
Cobham then lost first, second row Coates ( prompt for Tristan Lee to move into the second row) and secondly Andy Alexander (prompt for Tristan Lee to move back to the front row).
S&E came back hard looking for a try but were to be undone by the use of their under 12s as mascots and ball boys. Its a great idea but wearing the same shirt as the first team squad can cause confusion as when it appeared the S & E winger passed the ball to the 4ft tall ball boy on the side line. Cobham line out, Goddard, Kennard relieving kick.
With the clock ticking down and the second nail biting finish in two weeks Cobham gave their supporters some angst when within two minutes of each other S & E Munford saw two penalty attempts fail, having not compensated for the impact of the wind.
They were to prove crucial misses as the Ref called time. We are not seeing everything Cobham has to offer yet but in two weeks we have secured two wins and 8 points. With Chobham having failed to score a point in their last two games Cobham may make it three on the trot but last week every London 1 South home side, except for one were successful. This week every home side, bar one, lost. Looks like being one of those seasons
Team
1 Tristan Lee
2 Chris Gibbons
3 Andy Alexander
4 Leo Coates
5 Joe Goddard
6 Neil Smitherman
7 Simon Ackroyd
8 Matt Johnson
9 Rob Kennard
10 Luke Flower
11 Murray Shepard
12 Richard Jackson
13 Arran Cowell (Captain)
14 Andy Flower
15 Charlie Rooke
16 Richard Nunn
17 Josh Brown
18 Will Avery
Simon Ackroyd 1 Try
Arran Cowell 1 conversion 2 penalties
