Cobham's fourth game of the season took them away to Chobham. This is a 'derby' match against their old rivals who are celebrating their 50th anniversary this season.
Chobham has experienced a challenging start to the season going down to CS 1863 and Gravesend whilst gaining maximum points in the final minutes against Chiswick. In turn Cobham still had work to do following an inconsistent display the previous week against Dover leaving both sides something to prove.
Cobham made some changes with Luke Bliss coming into the second row, veterans Walsh and Cowell on the bench and Stuart Fee making his debut in the centre partnering Charlie Mortimer
After winning the toss Chobham choose to play with a stout wind behind them which together with a vocal home crowd gave them the brighter start with first blood going to the home side on 8 minutes through the boot. 3-0
Despite the lack of possession, Cobham's back line looked threatening and this was converted into a score when the pace of winger Oli Kitto linked with full back James Mitchell to score from fifty metres out. 3-5.
The next score went to the home side crossing after sustained pressure and converted successfully, 10-5 might prove to be springboard to ensure a half time lead but Cobham's defence ensured that the lead would not be extended and it was infact overturned as centre Mortimer crossed 10-10.
With the whistle blown on a pulsating first half Cobham would have been delighted with that scoreline hoping they had weathered the storm and would now have a stiff breeze behind them to take advanatage. The opening phase of the second period saw halfbacks Weir and Kennard restricting Chobham deep in their own half. and Cobham looked to have achieve dominance in the scrum
With Chobham losing a player for an infringement this left the visitors space out wide and James MacDonald broke the line. Converted well from wide out by Weir 10-17.
Infringements and the wind provided Cobham with field position and a penalty within range allowed Weir to put Cobham two scores to the good. 10-20.
The final ten minutes saw Chobham repeatedly ran up against a stoic Cobham defence enabling them to secure an important away win.
A delighted Captain Kennard speaking afterwards said
“It was a close fought battle and the boys defended well in the first half as we got to grips with the game and our opponents. In the latter part of the match we took control and I know the boys will have enjoyed the victory . We now need to regroup and focus ready for this Saturday's match against second placed Sidcup''
Ben Joyce
Jake MacQuade
Josh Brown
Luke Bliss
Joe Goddard
Doug Rodman
Ali Porter
Joe Davis
Robbie Kennard
Oli Weir
Stuart Fee
Charlie Mortimer
James MacDonald
Oli Kitto
James Mitchell
Substitutes:
Dan Walsh
Arran Cowell
Nathan Spratt
