A very good personal match report from Paul Hickson, all round good chap and long term supporter as well as Partner at Menzies, principal sponsor of Cobham Senior rugby. Thanks Paul.
'Having not been able to attend many of the First team' s matches this year, the opportunity to watch the fixture against the League leaders Gravesend was too good an opportunity to miss. Unfortunately it was an away fixture and having never been anywhere near Gravesend in my life, I was going to be reliant upon the infamous Sat Nav to get me there. The only problem with that was, having tracked down Gravesend's web site (and its only when you visit other Clubs' web sites that you realise what a brilliant site Cobham have) was I confronted with the message Sat Nav and Google maps don't have the right coordinates!
I set out with some concern and can indeed confirm Gravesend's web site is correct - Sat Nav will not automatically get you there, but it got me close and then I had some luck.
I met up with Tim Green, who was nursing a training injury, but wearing his Cobham tie and the Braemar boys and had a pint before the kick off, although we were all a little bemused why, having put the clocks back last week, the match was still scheduled for a 3PM kick off. It might have been nothing to do with the clocks but more to do with Gravesend having used the occasion to hold its Captains Day lunch that day. The Clubhouse (and its only when you visit other Clubhouses that you realise what a brilliant Clubhouse Cobham have got) was heaving and when everyone spilled out it became difficult to get a view of the pitch and that was from a raised area! We did notice that the match was being officiated by a Kent Society ref so we had some concerns, however, as events were to transpire, these were completely unfounded.
Gravesend 1st XV are unbeaten this year and they ran out to loud cheers from the partisan, and dare I say slightly intimidating, crowd. We did our best to welcome the Cobham boys in similar style. (It is at this point Menzies would like to thank Paddy and Andy for avoiding anything akin to a six pack to enable our logo to be displayed on the shirts to its full advantage!). As there will no doubt be a full match report I will not attempt to describe the detail but restrict my comments to supporter observations...
Cobham play wonderful open rugby that sends the ball from one wing to the other culminating in the first try. Such is the pent up relief of achieving this first score the Cobham supporters ( that makes us sound a slightly larger group than perhaps the term suggests) explode into cheers and claps. Its only after the 'cacophony' of sound has died down is there the realisation that behind us is a row of what looked to be a 1000 (it was probably 250 but it didn't feel like it) Gravesend supporters glowering. However that same three quarter play and breathtaking speed passing brings gasps even from the Gravesend crowd as we score a second and third try. Matt Johnsons parents who have now joined me on the lower terracing, provide the moral support required to shout out 'Come on Cobs' as the home crowd cheer their beloved 'Gs' on.
In between times Billy Davison was calling his lineout codes and the forwards were dancing to and fro only for the ball to always go to Billy, 15ft high in the air. At some point towards the end of the first half the Gravesend second row worked out that irrespective of the numbers called (as an Accountant I was trying to work it out) it was always going to go to the tall guy, so he decided to adopt the age old alternative approach and just push the tall guy right in front of the Ref, which resulted in him receiving a yellow card.
Half time came and we were in front, but the Gravesend supporter next to me (although he came from Tunbridge Wells) said 'Gravesend are never good starters they will wake up in the second half'. However Cobham proved that they don't just rely on the 'pretty boys' when they executed a forward drive inside the Gravesend half, controlled from the rear with a rhythm and moves worthy of Strictly Come Dancing resulting in a further try. But in line with the comment made,Gravesend at last woke up and put Cobham under concerted pressure to get back into the game,with a converted try. The Gravesend crowd were energised. One in particular was regularly shouting 'Come on you Old Gs' - at least that's what we think he was shouting because it got lost in translation as it boomed across the pitch!
The last twenty minutes were played in increasing gloom, despite the floodlights being switched on,and although we were leading 25-10 there was still a sense of concern that Gravesend would find their unbeaten form. The Ref was by now getting some serious stick from the home crowd especially when he appeared to ignore an advantage for Gravesend,however he provided some redress by yellow carding Arran Cowell for.. well we are not actually quite sure. I was intrigued to see Arran having to stand on his own under the opposition posts looking like someone who had been sent to the naughty step.The Ref was not finished however as he then yellow carded our winger Rob Smedley for what he thought was a deliberate knock on but was of course a failed interception! However he still hadn't placated the home supporters who lambasted him for not awarding a penalty try (You just cant please some people!) At this point Arran and Rob passed each other as one left the field and the other returned.
Somewhere in amongst all this coming and going Gravesend scored another try 25-15 but it was not enough and that's how the match ended. Gravesend had lost their unbeaten record and Cobham look to be the team in form.
This will not be my only away fixture especially if that's how we play.
Well done Cobham!
Paul Hickson
Partner
