Cobham Under 17 A - Regional Semi Final
Match Report vs Havant and v Lewes—14th March 2010
Result: Cobham 22 pts Havant 0 pts
Cobham 13 pts Lewes 0 pts
The second regional round of the U17 National Cup tournament took Cobham for a day by the coast. Due to the weather conditions for the 1st round, when not all games could be played, the arrangements were that Cobham would play a half game against each of Havant and Lewes, who would also meet each other in a triangular tournament at Lewes RFC.
In the first game Lewes had come out 5-0 winners against Havant, and did well to hold on after losing 2 players to the bin.
The second game (of 35 minutes) saw Cobham against an uncompromising Havant side. Cobham were into their stride early and a clean break and a few phases created space for Cragg to open the scoring with Sharpe converting. After this the forwards more than held their own against a big pack, but the backs were not quite as fluid as normal therefore meaning that we could not find the required continuity. However one sweeping move did lead to another try from the ever present Cragg. Then Cobham had to defend a 5 metre line-out and drive on their line and were able to do so quite calmly.
The second half was well played by Cobham who took the potential overheating out of the game by playing for position, taking a penalty that was won in front of the posts and scoring another try through Sharpe that he then converted. Score 22-0.
The third game thus became the decider between Cobham and a competitive Lewes side. Cobham had the better of the possession early on but were not able to capitalise and one wayward kick nearly created a try for the quick Lewes outside backs. Lewes continually used 4 man line-outs but I think confused themselves as much as us as the ball invariably went long for the waiting Koep to pounce. Near the end of the first half (of 17 minutes) a break down the left hand side and a quick ruck created space on the right where good hands from the forwards provided room for Sharpe to take a good try.
In the second half an early penalty was won and converted by Sharpe, and thereafter Lewes tried valiantly to get their way back into the game with their tight head a constant force in the loose. However Cobham had the better of the last 5 minutes, and following a good drive from the forwards a try resulted for McCallum, who was a calm leader throughout a sometimes fraught afternoon.
Special mention to Mead, Gillott, Koep and Sharpe for their performances and to Cragg who seemed to bear the brunt of the physical stuff.
Our thanks to Lewes for hosting, to St Johns School for the release of their players and to the supporters for making the day trip.
Cobham are now through to the regional final (or the last 8) where we meet Old Albanians on 28th March.
Well done team.
NM
