Three missed penalties, two hitting posts, in the first half did nothing to help Stortford's attempt to subdue a patient Combe who slowly squeezed them out of the game by simply denying them ball and room to play. This was always going to be a closely fought game but both sides have one of the better scoring records in National League Three (London & S.E.) and one might have expected an all singing and dancing action packed hour or so but it was remarkably static most of the time but no less entertaining for all that.

Combe had the first chance to separate the sides where play in the first half rarely entered either of the 22's. That penalty missed, it was Stortford's turn, twice. One hit the post, the other wide.

With six minutes remaining to the break Combe had patiently worked hard to get a line-out on the 5-metre line, the clean take and drive at pace saw them cross the line before the maul was hauled to the ground and the referee heading for the posts for the penalty try. Luke Giles converted.

In the last couple of minutes of the half both sides had penalties. Stortford's hit a post and stayed out, Luke Giles's, from a distance, sailed through the middle.

At the start of the second-half a 10—nil gap looked useful if not conclusive but that became a gulf when after six minutes, having already tested the Stortford cover with a raking move down the left flank, Toby May fielded a high kick on his 10-metre line and kicked over the top, retrieved the ball and the subsequent move saw Combe spinning the ball across field and three seconds later a reverse pass into the eager hands of Niki Davies saw him crash for the line just to the right of the posts. Luke Giles converted.

Not surprisingly Stortford found the next fifteen minutes frustrating against a Combe defence that was stifling any life out of them sitting on an impressive lead and then it all kicked off with one of the ugliest moments Combe supporters have seen in years.

When order was restored both sides found themselves down to fourteen. The penalty was awarded to Stortford and a simple kick gave them the put in at the line-out on Combe's 5-metre line.

Temporary Bellinger-less Combe's defence was away for the moment while they reorganised and they conceded a too-simple try. From out wide on the touch-line Tim Coleman's conversion kick was just majestic.

With Stortford now firmly on the board the final twenty minutes could have been very uncomfortable for Combe but they returned to their well disciplined defence and the minutes slowly ticked away with Stortford not really offering any real threat.

Just in case they still harboured any thoughts of a late comeback Luke Giles added one of his penalty kicks from a distance and it was game over with eight or nine minutes remaining.

Combe worked very hard for the win and with Barnes losing out to Dorking things at the top are beginning to take shape; I can't wait for Dorking's visit to Goddington Dene but this week we entertain Gravesend.

Combe's Team: Toby May; Trent Nattrass, Ben Hough, Tyron Child, Niki Davies; Luke Giles, Charlie Edwards; Reece Conlon, Graham Carson, Dale Bellinger; Tom Clarke, Luke Bellinger; Gus Barton, Mark Nimmo, Matt Foulds. Harry Fry, Chris Lewis, Ryan Fuller.

Match Reporter: Mike Attewell.