Dover 23 - Cobham 26
Cobham travelled to Dover in a confident mood after their win 2 weeks ago against Thanet.
There were a number of changes to the team due to unavailability. In the forwards Andy Alexander came back into the pack. In the backs Tim Green started at inside centre with Captain Arran Cowell moving back to his old position of fullback with Chris Moreton on the wing.
Cobham kicked the 1st half of down the slope and almost scored straight away, Tim Green taking the ball on the charge but the ref deemed the ball to be held up. From a Cobham scrum no 8 Leon Van Niekerk picked from the base of the scrum and drove for the line, the ball was recycled and Hooker Chris Gibbons went over the line. 5-0 to Cobham
From the restart Cobham conceded a penalty which Dover took to make the score 5-3.
Cobham were dominating at scrum time and after a number of scrums Cobham were rewarded a penalty try which Luke Flower converted to make the score 12-3.
From deep in the Cobham half Tim Green made a break with Kevin Fisher in support and taking play into the Dover 22 then finding Billy Bates coming off his wing who then set up Billy Davison coming from deep on the angle to get Cobham's 3rd try converted by Luke Flower
Half time 19-3 and Cobham dominating the half.
Dover kicked the 2nd half off and from deep Luke Flower sent a big kick deep into the Dover half up the slope, with Cobham chasing after the ball. Cobham then won the ball back and from another kick from centre Kevin Fisher Captain Arran Cowell was able to chase the ball and score under the post, Luke Flower converting. Score 26-3.
Dover restarted and took play deep into the Cobham 22 and from a number of attacks to the Cobham line Dover scored out wide to take the score to 26-8.
Dover were now defending well and using the slope to their advantage to keep Cobham in their own half and from sustained pressure Dover got 2 more tries and a penalty to get within 3 points of Cobham. But Cobham held out to get a win for the first time at Dover, bettering their best result a 0-0 draw from a couple of seasons ago.
Next week Cobham are at home to league leaders Chichester.
All support is very welcome.
1stxv Squad
1 Andy Alexander
2 Chris Gibbons
3 Richard Nunn
4 Guy Sears
5 Billy Davison
6 Doug Rodman
7 Dave Baker
8 Leon Van Niekerk
9 Rob Kennard
10 Luke Flower
11 Billy Bates
12 Tim Green
13 Kevin Fisher
14 Chris Moreton
15 Arran Cowell (Captain)
16 Paul Mayer
17 Dave Kearsey
18 Dave Flower
Tries
Chris Gibbons 1
Billy Davison 1
Arran Cowell 1
Penalty Try 1
Conversions
Luke Flower 3
