It was cold, very cold, but dry. The sun came out near the end. Perhaps we are through the worst of winter conditions. After an early trade in failed penalty attempts at goal, Combe settled into a rhythm and with plenty of re-cycled ball dominated play in the home side’s half. The first few scrums broke down, the Tring defence was holding up until, with fifteen minutes gone Combe had a second kickable penalty chance at goal, which this time Luke Giles put over to get the scoreboard started. Tring hit back immediately, pinching Combe’s lineout, and with their own penalty kick found touch in Combe’s left corner. With a simple front peel, Tring’s No. 8 Lawrence Tausaosi was over. No conversion, but the home side were now 5-3 up, and they had barely had the ball, let alone visited the Combe half. The next few scrums broke up and after one fracas Combe’s prop was yellow carded. With one man short the scrum in defence was still good enough to get good ball to Luke Giles to clear the lines to half way and relieve the pressure that Tring now mounted. Combe were still full of running but making little headway. With thirty minutes gone Tring won a turnover in midfield and with quick ball sent left winger Johannes Rheeder down the touchline, over at the corner, and round towards the posts. Tom Newton added the extras, and Tring eased away to a 12-3 lead, with half time approaching. Combe had one more chance with a scrum close on the Tring line. They went for the pushover and but were thwarted with the line beckoning. Halftime. Either Combe were making it difficult for themselves, or Tring were equal to the task. Perhaps a half time pep-talk would get Combe going……….

Combe began the re-start with plenty of ball but no penetration. Indeed Tring ran it back and with a chip ahead came close, but Toby May and Chris Lewis combined to save the day. Ten minutes gone, Dave Watkins won a turnover near the half way, Charlie Edwards chipped ahead, Chris Lewis gathered, and just short of the posts found Charlie Edwards on hand to plunge over. Luke Giles converted. Combe back on terms at 12-10. Don’t blink, or you will miss it. From the kick-off Combe’s outsides run it back, Trent Nattrass, Chris Lewis again, Toby May. Up the left touchline, back inside for Trent Nattrass, and over. 12-15. Luke Giles’ kick hits the outside of the upright. Yes, Combe back on terms :12-15. Tring battle away - attack and counter attack. Combe’s defence may be holding up, but is taking a pounding. Ten minutes to go, Tring’s Newton puts over a penalty, matched soon after by an effort from Luke Giles, only for another penalty from Newton to tie the scores at18-18. Into the last five minutes Combe up the pace and with initial inroads from Charlie Edwards and Toby May quick ball sees Trent Nattrass free for his second, a try by the posts. Luke Giles converted for 18-25. Neither side are finished yet. Combe pinch a lineout , Charlie Edwards makes a break, and again with quick ball Kieren Leeper on a burst is sent over. Luke Giles also slots the conversion. 18-32. Tring have one last fling ( a losing bonus point would be some reward at least ). With penalty and scrum awards close to the Combe line they cannot force their way over as Combe keep them at bay.

The game went closer than the scoreline might suggest. Two purple patches for Combe rattled up the points, but also there was a big call for collective defensive duties. Next week Combe travel to Staines, then there is a week off for the last round of the Six Nations, and Combe are back at home at Goddington Dene on 23rd March for the return game against league leaders Dorking. The run-in to the end of the season is beginning to shape up.

Westcombe Park XV : T. May; K. Leeper, T. Nattrass, T. Child, N. Davies; L. Giles, C. Edwards; R. Conlon, H. Fry, N. Porter, T. Clarke, D. Watkins, A. Barton, H. Barton, M. Foulds.
Sub.s : D. Bellinger, C. Lewis, J. Simpson.

Match reporter : Bruce Mackenzie.