The traditional Old Crocks' Lunch and ultimately four tries was all there was to cheer in the last home game of this season. It sets up nicely the last game at Barnes on Saturday in what is effectively the third place play-off.
The incessant rain and formidable opposition made it a long way to come for the Channel Islanders not to get points of any kind. They may not have had much penetration but accounted for themselves well in most other aspects.
It all led to a pretty dour game most of the time with Combe's tackling, ball handling and running leading to the bright moments. Dale Bellinger scored twice and Ben Hough twice, in the last minute of each half, and Luke Giles with a penalty and two conversions scored the points that gave Combe a competent and comfortable victory.
Up until the 15th minute Guernsey were certainly on a par with Combe and it could be argued had their noses in front but when Dale Bellinger crashed over out wide following some close order combat on Guernsey's line the die was cast.
But it was the nature of the game and speaks volumes for Guernsey's tenacity that Combe took the next opportunity for points fifteen minutes later with a Luke Giles' penalty.
Eight—nil at the break would be what most people had settled for but some adapt handling and running saw Ben Hough get his first try and Luke Giles converted with quite his best kick to make it 15—nil when the interval came.
The second half started quite differently to the rest of the match. Swift movement and brute strength saw Dale Bellinger get his second try in characteristic mode. One of the abiding images of this season has been him clawing his way, like a wounded bull elephant, to the line with half the opposition weighing him down. Too often his team-mates have joined the spectators in total admiration until the inevitable breakdown.
For the rest of the half Guernsey had plenty of possession and probably their share of the territory as well but despite on two occasions stringing together a dozen or more phases they were never able to penetrate a resolute Combe defence.
It looked inevitable that Combe would have to settle for four points which would not have made much difference in the great scheme of things but with the last move of the match great running and passing from deep saw Combe sweep up the field, a final pass and Ben Hough was heading for the line for his second try. A competent Combe performance in trying conditions.
Combe's bonus point takes their total to 20 from 25 games, a country mile from anyone else in this League, and a far cry from when we were still waiting for our first towards the end of February. Dale Bellinger's two tries takes his total for the season to 11, virtually more than the rest of the forwards put together! Ben Hough's two, takes him to ten, level with Niki Davies and second only to Trent Nattrass on 13. Ryan Fuller scored 9 tries and had a points tally of 106 from just 12 games.

Combe's Team. Toby May; Trent Nattrass, Ben Hough, Tyron Child, Niki Davies; Luke Giles, Charlie Edwards, Dale Bellinger, Harry Fry, Graeme Carson; Tom Clarke, Jon Wright; Gus Barton, Hamish Barton (Capt.), Matt Foulds. Reece Conlon, Josh Maybank, Graham Purdy.

Match Reporter: Mike Attewell.