The ’A’ teams Kent Cup match was played on the 1st XV pitch, but ground conditions were tricky with quite a slippery surface overlying firm ground due to the recent spell of cold weather. The rain held off and the overcast day was brightened by sunny spells later in the game. Fortunately, the conditions underfoot weren't bad enough to hinder the team’s speed advantage and they made good use of it.

The first half saw a flurry of points as Combe really made use of their forwards’ power and drive to create openings and the backs stretched their legs to make plenty of ground, although Canterbury’s defence often managed to stop them short of the try-line. The Spitfires clocked up an unanswered 43 points by half-time with the forwards contributing 5 tries to 2 from the backs with 4 conversions.

Good use was made of practised close quarters moves and excellent support play led to some of the tries. A few missed passes and dropped balls spoiled other scoring opportunities which could have seen the game all over in the first half.

In the set pieces the teams seemed to be fairly evenly matched, although Canterbury won a greater share of the lineouts. Their constant use of kicks to gain ground did not result in them scoring and they might have created more opportunities had they kept the ball in hand. Certainly they tested Combe’s defence when the ball was sent out wide, but again speed and excellent cover tackles prevented them from scoring. (Half-time 43-0)

The second half was more evenly matched as Canterbury played much more aggressively and created many chances by maintaining possession and utilising their pack to make ground. They showed their intent with a good rolling drive followed by a quick break to score their first try within two minutes of the restart, and then converting it.

Canterbury immediately launched another attack, but Combe were prepared and stopped their advance. For the next ten minutes the advantage switched from one team to the other as both sides looked for openings. Much of the play was in Combe’s half, but their opponents were unable to crack the defence. Several times the Spitfires made good breaks, but the backs kept play in the centre instead of passing the ball wide and the moves were swallowed up by Canterbury’s forwards.

Eventually, good support play between the backs released Christian to sprint away for an excellent touch-down and Owen to add the extra points. Not to be outdone, Combe’s forwards then combined to set up a break by Reagan who charged over the line to complete his well-deserved hat-trick.
Canterbury had not given up though and they launched a series of determined attacks which kept play in Combe’s half for some time. Combe’s dogged defence eventually cracked, allowing a solo break by Canterbury. Shuya’s heroic chase and last ditch tackle attempt didn’t succeed and the opposition made their second score of the game.

The quality of play fell off considerably in the last quarter of the match as both teams tired and Combe, in particular, tried too many elaborate moves due to over confidence. ‘Back to basics’ was the call from AD. A lot of the play became quite scrappy with dropped balls and missed passes. It looked as though the game had run its course; it certainly had for one player whose lunch box took a nasty dent!

However, there was one final spark to the game as the clock ran down. Some excellent play from a lineout culminated in the ball being flicked out to Rhys on the left wing around the 10 metre line. Watching from the far side of the pitch it didn’t seem possible that he could evade and outrun the impending handful of defenders, but sprinting down the line he pulled it off and went over for a well-deserved try to round off the game. (Final score 60-12)

Your recharged reporter: Terry Taylor

Team: James B, Owen C-M, Ethan C-O, Tane F-D, Sam H, Ed L, Luke M, Reagan M, Chizu O, Jake R-E, Oliver S, Harry T (C), Rhys U, Flynn V-W, Christian W

Subs: Luca M, Shuya T

Tries: Reagan (3), Rhys (2), Christian (2), Sam (2), Harry

Conv: Owen (5)

MoM: Sam

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Spitfires U15 B team travelled to Sittingbourne on Sunday for the Kent Bowl quarter-final.

The game was a tense affair, played on a narrow pitch, which contributed to a pretty turgid game of rugby.

Combe started well and spent the majority of the opening 15 minutes in and around the opponents 22. The game moved from side to side as we crept forward inching towards the try line only to be denied by Sittingbourne’s scramble defence. Finally and somewhat fortuitously, we got the breakthrough our dominance deserved when Matas stole the opponent’s lineout on their 5 metre line and crashed over for the opening score, converted by Matthijs. (0 – 7)

From the restart Combe continued to dominate possession and field position. The forwards worked hard maintaining the upper hand at the breakdown, but the backs couldn't create the scoring opportunities to extend the lead. Then Sittingbourne scored; with their first attack their fly-half chipped through, recovered his own kick and crossed for an unconverted try. (5 – 7)

Buoyed by this, the home side put together a series of attacks which resulted in the best move of the game and a second try, again unconverted with the last action of the half. (10 – 7)

The second half continued in the same vein as the first. Combe dominated possession and field position, but failed to turn that into points; being stopped short of the line on several occasions. With Sittingbourne’s defence back pedalling and transgressing at the breakdown resulting in a series of penalties, Aston finally found a gap to restore our lead with an unconverted try. (10 – 12)

Again Sittingbourne struck back when they scored from a scrum on our 10 metre line, again the conversion was missed. (15 – 12)
Once again Combe camped in their half, with chances spurned and the clock running down, Sam found space to score, Matthijs added the extras and we lead by four with 5 minutes to go. (15 – 19)

We spent the rest of the half seeking the score that would seal the game, but had to endure one final tense moment when a scuffed clearance kick bounced around our 22 before Joe Tay recovered his composure, and the ball, to seal the win.

This was a tense, nervy game which Combe dominated for long spells against a bigger Sittingbourne pack, who worked very hard in defence. The forwards deserve great credit for their work rate and determination which finally saw us over the line and into the semi-final.

Your happy reporter: Leo Murphy

Team: Harry B, James F, Joseph G, Joe J, Matas J, Aston L-H, Sam Mc, Brian M, Ade R, Alfie S, Connor S, Oscar S (C), Joe T, Matthijs v L, Jacob W

Subs: Billy-Joe D, James L, Callum M

Tries: Matas, Aston, Sam Mc

Conv: Matthijs (2)

MoM: Matthijs

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Both teams have been drawn against their respective Old Elthamians counter-parts in the semi-finals due to be played on 8th February 2015.