New season, new league, new faces, new laws, but there was a hint of déjà vu at Goddington Dene as Combe began their campaign in National League 3 South East.
The visitors, Barnes, were familiar opponents from last year and they ended up victors again by a similar score and margin to that on their last visit barely six months ago, 23-38. Combe started briskly - they looked reasonably comfortable in the set piece, the backs looked dangerous with the ball, but having spent the first fifteen minutes in the Barnes half they only had a third minute penalty from Luke Giles to show on the scoreboard. Indeed when Barnes first made inroads into Combe territory, Combe offended and Barnes full back Warren Gower slotted the first of his successful kicks for the match. 3-3. Similarly, two minutes later it was the same. 3-6. Five minutes later it could have been more, but this time Gower pushed his kick wide. Barnes had had little of the ball, and less position, but were ahead, and Combe were finding it difficult to regain their momentum. An attack broke down, and Barnes centre Fergus Jones countered down the middle, before putting winger John Wehbe in at the left hand corner. Gower put the conversion over. 3-13, just before half time.
Combe made two substitutions for the start of the second half, with Charlie Edwards and Tom Clarke coming on. The half was only a couple of minutes old when Barnes had a line out in the Combe 22, they drove for the line and flanker Simon Givens claimed the touchdown. Gower’s conversion attempt hit the crossbar. 3-18 to the visitors, and Combe now in danger of letting the game slip away from them. But they pegged Barnes back, won a penalty, a quick tap, but Barnes offended again and by the time the yellow card was awarded and Barnes had re-grouped, the only option was a pot at goal. Luke Giles obliged. 6-18. Five minutes later, Combe took another quick tap penalty in centre field. Ben Hough saw the gap and was through to score in the left corner. Giles conversion attempt was close, but not over. 11-18 , and Combe could be back in the game. Not for long. From broken play in the middle Barnes made a break and released winger Ant Wilde down the left touchline to outstrip the cover and score in the corner. Gower’s conversion went over to extend the visitors’ lead to 11-25. They had another charge and drive for the line but were kept out. Combe conceded another kickable penalty for Gower to slot over and the scoreboard now read 11-28. Into the last ten minutes. Combe had a penalty and went for the lineout option close to the Barnes line. Dale Bellinger drove and from the re-cycled ball Niki Davies was in under the posts with barely a hand laid on him. Giles added the extras. 18-28. The comeback was short lived. Barnes again won lineout ball, and set up a driving maul to the line. It was stopped short but out-half Gareth Vaughan-Davies was on hand to take the pop-up and score by the posts, for a bonus point. Gower was not going to miss this kick and Barnes now moved ahead 18-35. With time running out, Combe had one more flurry with a drive from a line out close to the Barnes line. Josh Pankhurst stretched and reached over, and Luke Giles converted. 25-35. Into the final minutes the visitors had the final say when Gower again put over another penalty for a final score of 25-38.
The conditions had been near perfect. The pitch looked immaculate, it was warm with just an occasional light breeze. The crowd were in good spirits, but will have left knowing that it is going to be a long tough season ahead…..again!
Next week Combe are away to Tonbridge- Juddians.

Combe XV : T. Nattrass; R. Fuller, B.Hough, T. Child, N. Davies; L. Giles, M. Holmes; R. Conlon, J. Pankhurst, D. Bellinger, J. Burt, N. Coles, G. Barton, H. Barton, G. Marshall.
Sub.s : T. Clarke, C. Lewis, C. Edwards.

Match reporter : Bruce Mackenzie.