Home win for 1sts

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...

The build up wasn't ideal for Cobham with injuries to Richard Nunn and Nick Sutton during Thursday night's training session meaning a swift return from a holiday in Windermere for Andy Alexander and a place on the bench for Richard Jackson ex Rosslyn Park.

It's been a baptism of fire for Captain Arran Cowell this season so, with Coach Billy Davison coming into the second row for this match and last year's Captain Jack spectating on the sidelines, he will have wanted Cobham coming out on top.

As in previous weeks Cobham took advantage from the kick off with Josh Brown setting up a ruck that eventually provided a penalty for Captain Cowell to convert 3-nil after 2 minutes.

Thanet had a chance to reply but missed their  kick however, it prefaced  10 minutes of sustained Wanderers pressure that eventually lead to number ,well we are not sure what number Tom Ash was as Thanet's  reverse  shirts don't have numbers but it was a cracking try. 3-5 converted by Aldridge 3-7.

This stirred Cobham and increased the intensity of their game such that Andy Alexander was able to drive over for a touchdown at the Clubhouse end which Cowell converted 10-7.

Thanet are known as the 'Comeback Kings'  so more Thanet pressure followed and after half an hour a close but unsuccessful drop goal was pounced on by numberless Ash and converted, 10-14.

The lead had changed four times in the first half and a further converted penalty by Cowell brought Cobham to within 1 point at 13-14.

Cobham are maintaining their youth policy this season and just before half time you could see why when from a scrum on the half way line with the backline positioned to the right Rob Kernard switched the ball to the left to unleash full back Rookie junior supported by 'Muzza' Shepard. They were not successful on this occasion but you just know one day they will be.

The second half started with a short kick off that Billy Davison read well but Thanet needed to win this match and further pressure provided them with a penalty in the 52nd minute 13-17.

Cowell was everywhere in this match, making some great tackles and always looking to get the back line moving. Cobham were frustrated by some 'interesting' referring decisions all afternoon, not that Thanet were holding back  in providing their share of penalties and in the 60th minute Cowell was successful again 16-17.

Having missed a long range penalty to put the match beyond doubt, Thanet gave away one too many penalties in the dying minutes of the game much to the chagrin of their supporters. The score line proved there wasn't much between these two sides but Cobham had their very own 'X Factor' as Cowell calmly converted his fifth kick of the afternoon 19-17. As the whistle blew there was relief and pure delight in the Cobham team and on the sidelines

'Sooner or later those who win are those who think they can' Richard Bach, an American novelist who has probably never seen Cobham play, sums it up.

Well done Cowell, well done Cobham.

Team

1Tristan Lee

2 Chris Gibbons#

3 Andy Alexander

4 Joe Goddard

5 Billy Davison

6 Neil Smitherman

7 Josh Brown

8 Matt Johnson

9 Rob Kennard

10 Arran Cowell (Captain)

11 Murray Shepard

12 Luke Flower

13 Chris Moreton

14 Andy Flower

15 Charlie Rooke

16 Aeren Young

17 Marc Lockwood

18 Richard Jackson

Andy Alexander 1 Try

Arran Cowell 1 Conversion, 4 penalties