The ‘feel good factor’ returned to Goddington Dene as Combe swept past visitors Hertford with a pacy and confident display of running rugby. It all started on the pitch, it caught on with the touchline faithful and the stand, and continued in the bar afterwards, aided and abetted by the days’ match sponsors, the Combe Warriors’ Dads. Hertford briefly took the lead in the first half, but once Combe hit their stride, Hertford faded, their backs never got going, and despite a consolation third try in the closing minute they went home empty handed.

It was a dull, overcast day. It had rained in the night and the week before, but the pitch held firm, and there was just a hint of a wind from the clubhouse end. Combe kicked off into it, Dale Bellinger gathered, and as Combe set up an attack with Luke Giles finding a half gap, Hertford were caught offside. Giles slotted the penalty over for the opening score, one minute gone. Hertford kicked for position, had a penalty award, took the line out option in the right hand corner, and with the follow up drive Brett McNamee was over for his first try. The conversion at the second attempt went over. 3-7 to the visitors. Combe’s pack were strong, Hertford were under pressure. After fifteen minutes Combe had another penalty, went for the lineout and from third phase Harry Fry was on hand for a short inside ball from Giles to go over by the posts. Giles converted for a 10-7 lead. Shortly afterwards Bellinger again made good ground, Ben Hough chipped through and who else but Kieran Leeper was straight in to dot down for his first try of the day. Giles failed with his conversion attempt. Hertford had a penalty which again they kicked to touch, and again drove for the line, and once more it was McNamee with the touchdown. The conversion failed, but the lead had been narrowed to 15-12. On the half hour Giles slotted his second penalty kick for 18-12, and as the half drew to a close Gideon Roux made a break, and with a one-handed pass Ben Hough was in at the corner. The conversion did not go over but it was a healthy lead for Combe at the break: 23-12.

The second half started fitfully but the Combe pack was soon to re-assert its dominance. They had the push on, and were nicking the opposition line out ball, which ensured a good supply of quick ball for the backs. Ten minutes gone and down the line, Nikki Davies to Hough to Leeper in at the corner for his second try of the day. Sweet as. No conversion. 23-12 up and looking good. Play was barely underway again before Davies made a zigzag run for the line, and skipper Hamish Barton collected one handed before plunging over by the posts. Giles was successful with his conversion . Score now 35-12, and half an hour to go. Roux made another strong run, midfield. Play was held up for an injury to Hertford’s Ed Moss, and this set off a round of substitutions. Into the last quarter, Davies fielded on the half-way, with a long pass found Hough, who then found the ever eager Leeper who dived over for his third. No conversion though. 40-12. More substitutes, and the game drifted towards the finish. Combe were still willing to run it, but mistakes crept into their play. Hertford could still not get their backs going. In the dying moments of the game they did set up on the Combe line and after a series of drives with the last move of the game worked Craig Wilson over for a consolation score which went unconverted. Final score 40-17 to Combe. A bonus point win.

As skipper Hamish Barton had stated in his confident speech at the Vice Presidents’ Dinner the night before the game, it would come good for Combe. This display would not be the finished product, but taking the last three games together the building blocks are there. Moreover it is heartening to have the ‘feel good factor’ back.

Next week is a tough away game at Taunton, then the next home game will be tougher still when Old Albanians visit on 19 th November.

Combe XV : O’Neill; Davies, Hough, Roux, Leeper; Giles, Edwards; Mitchell, Fry, Bellinger, Wright, Coles, Blomfield, Barton, Wallis.
Sub.s : Rainford, Clarke, West, Foster, Fuller.

Match reporter - Bruce Mackenzie.