Cobham travelled to Portsmouth missing a number of players from last weeks match against Haywards Heath. In the frontrow Paul Mayer stepped into hooker, Rob Frost came into the 2nd row and a all new back row of Josh Brown, Simon Ackroyd at flanker and the versatile Tristan Lee at No 8.
Knowing this match could be key to how the rest of the season could play out Cobham looked to take the momentum from the wins at home onto the road.
Cobham looked to start well and take play deep into the Portsmouth half but after a few minutes and against the run of play Portsmouth got a lucky bounce of the ball to take the 1st points and score a converted try. 7-0 Portsmouth.
From the re start Cobham put pressure on the portsmouth defence and from a Line out a catch and drive had Richard Nunn Score Cobham's 1st try, converted out wide by Luke Flower. 7-7
With Cobham deep in the Portsmouth half they got a penalty which Luke Flower Converted to take Cobham into the lead.
Kevin Fisher then got Cobham's next try as the ball went wide he beat the cover defence to go over in the corner. 15-7 Cobham
Cobham were dominating the scrum, and Simon Ackroyd was back to his best carrying the ball forward from scrum. From one of these breaks Billy Davison was in support to go over for his 1st try of the season, converted by Luke Flower. 22-7 Cobham
With Cobham dominating the scrum a Portsmouth forward was yellow carded. The Lineout was also working well with Paul Mayer throwing accurately in his 1st match at hooker this season.
Davison was to get a 2nd try as the forwards and backs linked with Ackroyd again leading the way to put Davison over the line for Cobhams 4th try. Converted by Luke Flower to send Cobham in at half time 29-7 up.
Cobham had controlled the majority of the 1st half, but the 1st 15 minutes of the 2nd half Cobham had a lapse in Concentration allowing Portsmouth back in the match. 1st a penalty to Portsmouth 29-10 then 2 quick tries in the corner 29-20.
Cobham conceded a number of team penalties in the red zone and Oli Brown was the unfortunate one the get the yellow card.
With Cobham down to 14 men Portsmouth looked to take the man advantage and scored another try 29-25.
This was a big wake up call for Cobham and with Cobham finally getting their hands on the ball a scrum deep in the Portsmouth 22 had Josh Brown over to take the score to 34-25.
Portsmouth were to close the gap again converting a penalty to bring the score to 34-28. But Cobham were not going to let this match slip away and Cobham's final 2 tries came again from the scrum with Simon Ackroyd going over and Luke Flower converting one 46-25. But Portsmouth to their credit were to have the final word of the match scoring write at the end to take the score to 46-33.
Cobham will be happy to be winning away from home and getting 5 points as they go into a week's break, but will looking to tighten their defence when they host Chichester on 26th March.
But with 3 games to go and their place now secure for next season Cobham will be looking to climb the league table as high as they can.
Cobham
1 Andy Alexander
2 Paul Mayer
3 Richard Nunn
4 Rob Frost
5 Billy Davison
6 Josh Brown
7 Simon Ackroyd
8 Tristan Lee
9 Rob Kennard
10 Luke Flower
11 Charlie Rooke
12 Arran Cowell (Captain)
13 Kevin Fisher
14 Chris Moreton
15 Oli Brown
16 Callum Stott
17 Martin Green
18 Adam Hanline
Richard Nunn 1 try
Kevin Fisher 1 try
Josh Brown 1 try
Billy Davison 2 tries
Simon Ackroyd 2 tries
Luke Flower 1 Penalty 4 Conversions
