The curtains have fallen on Andy C.R. Cobb who passed away aged 80 on Monday 19 October 2020 in Cape Town, South Africa. Cobb was a three time East African Tusker, making the squads that toured England (1966), Ireland (1972) and Zambia (1975).
Born on 29 February 1940 in Athi River, Kenya, Cobb played his club rugby for Nakuru, Thika , Mombasa and finally Impala where he won the Nairobi District Championship and the Enterprise Cup between 1971 and 1974.
He was also capped three times by Kenya and was also part of the local invitational Scorpions side that stunned English club Wasps at the RFUEA Ground in July 1973.
Former Nondescript winger and club historian Bill Cherry paid tribute to Cobb, saying, “Andy’s rugby pedigree in Kenya ranks as one of the best. He was a formidable Nondies opponent, Playing for Kampala, Thika and Impala to name a few. In addition, he played for many East Africa representational, select and invitation teams. Thus being a close team mate of many a Nondie. Upon retiring from the East Africa game, he was the 2nd most capped East African Tusker and was also capped for Kenya three times.
In recent years, he, like so many of the Impala lads of the late 50s through early 70s, had been active in contributing and preserving the history of our game in East Africa. I, for one, shall miss his reminisces of the game and his colorful stories of on and off the pitch antics.”
We at the Kenya Rugby Union join the rest of the rugby fraternity in mourning Cobb. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
