Cobham Under 17A
Match Report vs Matson -18th April 2010
Result: Cobham 29 pts Matson 8 pts
The semi-final of the U17 National Cup tournament took place at Henley RFC and saw Cobham produce a fantastic and committed performance against a robust Matson side, the winning margin being by four tries, 3 conversions and a penalty to a try and penalty. The result means that Cobham U17s will play against Bedford in the final at Northampton Saints on 2nd May.
Both sides started by testing each other out with a bit of kicking for position, but Cobham were the first to strike after good approach work, Matson came offside and Sharpe slotted the penalty. Soon after a similar offence by Cobham enabled Matson to level the scores, but Cobham were starting to have the better of the forward exchanges and from a heel against the head, Clifford was able to break free and set up the ruck. With Matson struggling to prevent good ball Cobham passed skilfully to Hughes who burned round to score the opening try with Sharpe providing the conversion.
The Cobham side were now finding their rhythm with the line-out working well and the interplay between forwards and backs moving through the gears. Following a 30 metre drive from the forwards, with Coutts and Thurston providing the ballast, the backs moved the ball and at the ruck Matson were penalised again. Cobham took the option for the line-out and after the catch soft hands from Bliss and Harty provided the score to Gazzard.
Then before half time Cobham again produced a flowing move with the ball moved left where Flynn set up the ruck, then the ball whizzed to the right where Sharpe took it on to provide the scoring pass to McCallum in the corner, Sharpe making an excellent conversion.
Half-time 22-3
Matson came back strongly in the initial part of the second half and were able to score a neat try on the wing, but thereafter Cobham were able to play most of the rugby. Cragg was effective at the tail of the line-out and from one burst, Powlson freed Gazzard who took the gap but unfortunately could not get the pass away. However after a number of phases of driving and passing Cobham created a 3 man overlap, the ball moved to Harty who spotted a forward opposite him and danced his way for a try at the posts, with Sharpe converting.
There were no further scores in the game but Cobham had at least 3 breakaways where only a desperate tap tackle stopped a certain score.
Our thanks to Henley for providing a warm welcome to their club, to Matson for a tough game, and, of course, to the supporters for making the day trip.
The whole side played really well and the coaches were pleased that the team were able to maintain their composure under heavy robust play (Clifford and Flynn have the marks to prove it!). The old hands of McCallum and Gazzard both played very well as did Cragg, Coutts and Thurston in the forwards and Bliss and Powlson in the backs. It goes without saying that it was good to have Jack back---what a great game he had.
Now we can look forward to a cup final which is a fitting end to the season for this exceptional squad of young men.
NM
