Tough game...
Cobham Under 17A—Match Report vs Chipstead
February 7th 2010
Result: Cobham 31 pts Chipstead 6 pts
An absorbing game and a hard fought victory for Cobham by 5 tries and 3 conversions to two penalties, the eventual score not doing justice to the tenacity and skill shown by an organised Chipstead side.
The first 20 minutes of the game was controlled by the Cobham pack who won a lot of ball and drove well but only had one try by Koep to show for the territorial advantage. There were a few near misses but the Chipstead defence held firm. Then Cobham went through a slack period making small mistakes and allowing Chipstead to win more ball and play their chip kick game (well defended by Burns and Flynn). Two penalties in quick succession were converted by Chipstead before the Cobham pack again rumbled over for another score for Koep just before half time and converted from wide out by Markham.
The second half saw a more fluid Cobham side winning more clean ball at the rucks and moving the ball well for Burns to score. Then from a missed Chipstead kick at goal the ball bounced from the post to the waiting Clifford, recently restored to the side after a lengthy injury. He took one look at the ball and set off on a searing run through 3 would-be tacklers to half way. Shortly after, Flynn dived over to score the bonus point try.
One more try followed. This after good driving and rucking play took in the defence and alert work moved the ball to the blind side where slick passing put Hughes away to the corner, Markham again converting.
This was an excellent test for Cobham. Chipstead were unbeaten to date this season and were well organised and hard to break down. The forward work was generally good in the tight with the driving line-out working well and McCallum able to nick opposition ball, but we still need to clear rucks better. The backs defended the chip kicks well and the tackling of Powlson was obliterating. It was good to see Clifford and Watkins back in the squad, and for Markham and Stout to add their considerable skills to a Cobham side that is buzzing nicely.
NM
