Combe got their season properly under way with a deserved and convincing win, 44-25, away at old rivals Gravesend. On another warm and sunny day the conditions were excellent for an open and action packed game. It turned into a try fest with five for the visitors and three for the home side. Ryan Fuller, for Combe, dominated the scorecard with two tries, three penalties, and five conversions for a personal tally of 29 points.
Fuller opened the scoring with a penalty after three minutes. He may have missed one soon after in front of the posts, but stroked over his second on the quarter hour, after Gus Barton had set up the position with a charge upfield. Gravesend’s Dave Dalton hit back with an effort from the half way line, and with another the sides were level 6-6. Neither side were settled. The line-outs were awry, passes were spilled, turnovers and penalties conceded. With half an hour gone Fuller kicked his third penalty, a straightforward opportunity, for 9-6. Then all of a sudden Combe were away, down the right, a chip ahead, Trent Nattrass slipped it inside to Toby May who was over and rounded closer to the posts. Fuller made his first conversion , and Combe now led 16-6. They improved their score on the stroke of half time when hard tackling forced Gravesend to spill the ball, a kick and a chase, Ben Hough gathers and puts in Ryan Fuller in at the corner. He converted his own try and Combe were 23-6 up at the interval.

The second half began as an even contest. Gravesend had a penalty chance which came up short and Combe could kick out to half way and safety. A quickly taken tap made further ground. Combe were attacking in waves, but were held out, until Nattrass streaked through the centre from half way almost to the line, and with quick ball, May was over for his second, and Fuller could add the extras. 30-6 to Combe, and half an hour to go. Gravesend were stung into action. Their bish, bash, bosh approach gained ground and forced errors from the visitors. They moved the ball right, full back Dalton looked as if he was over, but was caught by the cover. When the ball was re-cycled, flanker Tomas Ford was on hand to score. The conversion was missed. Shortly after Combe came under pressure near their own line. From a line-out catch and drive tight-head Jamie Forsyth plunged over for his first try, Dalton converted, and Gravesend were back in the game at 30-18. Combe responded with a pick up from 8, Reece Conlon went for the line, Graeme Carson went close, and the final pass was to Nick Coles for a bonus point try. Fuller again converted to keep Gravesend at some distance ( 37-18 ). However they were not finished yet. The tried and tested ploy of line-out and drive yielded another score for Forsyth. Chris Meddings converted ( 37-25 ). But time was running out for the home team, and it was Combe who had the last say. Coles made ground from a line-out down the left, into the 22, quick re-cycled ball, through hands, Nattrass and Hough, finally to Fuller who scampered in at the corner again, and undaunted he slotted over the conversion from the touch line. Final score 44-25 to Combe, a bonus point win.

They were made to work for it, and not all elements were always functioning at their best, but the win should restore confidence with the season now properly underway.

Next Saturday Combe are at home to Westcliff, kick-off 3.00 pm This is preceded by the first Combe Lunch of the season, so if you have not already booked, time and places are running out………

Combe XV : T. May; R. Fuller, B. Hough, T. Child, N. Davies; T. Nattrass, C. Edwards; G. Carson, J. Pankhurst, R. Conlon, T. Clarke, D. Watkins, G. Marshall, H. Barton, A. Barton.
Sub.s : M. Olugbode, N. Coles, G. Purdy.

Match Reporter : Bruce Mackenzie.