Combe got the win that was expected in the end but it was not plain sailing and they were bogged down for much of the game, compounded by poor handling in the first half in particular, leaving it late and with, probably, the most important kick of the season.

Despite a brisk start that saw Thurrock score a try in the fourth minute and Combe close the gap with a penalty a few minutes later neither side looked likely to break a deadlock that saw two sides tied down by their own inertia, if you can use a word like that about 30 guys giving their all.

Thurrock did have to face their task with a reduced force following a red card at the end of the first quarter and Combe's troubles came from too many mistakes.

If ever a team was caught cold it was Combe on Saturday, fielding a kick just in his own half left-winger Mark Sullivan skipped round one player and then ran round at least another four, who were obviously leaving it to one-another, to touch down. The kick for the conversion was poor and set the mould for set kicks whereas those from the hand were very impressive from both sides.

Iain Gordan's penalty quickly followed, but both sides seemed to be unable to complete either the impressive work of packs or the occasional break, or indeed to profit from penalties. It was right at the end of the half that Frankie Neale extended the gap to five with his first successful kick, to give Thurrock an 8—3 lead at half-time.

The most encouraging sight for Combe supporters all afternoon was the look on the faces of Simon Jones, Rupert Chitty and Jamie White as they trailed from three directions in the wake of the players to the dressing-rooms at half-time—some good must come from that we thought!

Indeed there was. A more positive approach gave the handling, at least, more certainty.

But time leaked away with more territory and possession for Combe but they still lacked penetration to take it the distance.

It was a most frustrating second-half for the Combe camp. Still having the advantage of a man extra we soon dismissed the desire for a bonus point and held our breath through yet another missed chance for Thurrock.

Only ten minutes remained when Combe, following a lengthy spell of pressure in Thurrocks 22, at last crossed the line with a scrappy affair that Tim Kavanagh, again, was the beneficiary. With the score now locked at 8—8 the kick for the conversion assumed huge importance on an afternoon when the kicking of set pieces had not been the highlight.

Iain Gordan held his nerve well, when all about him were nervous wrecks, and calmly slotted the kick with JWT heading back with raised flag before it had crossed the posts!

Shortly after Combe had taken the lead for the first time they were again exerting pressure but they conceded a penalty in the ruck, and sustained a yellow card as a result, so the teams were level for the first time in 55 minutes so the Combe camp had to endure a few minutes of more nervy pressure before, thankfully, the final whistle blew.

Not a very satisfying afternoon for either camp and not one for the connoisseur just two teams making the best of what they had.

Combe's Squad: Alex Smith; Trent Nattrass, Ben Hough, Niki Davies Tom Gray; Iain Gordan, Ben Faurie; Tim Kavanagh, Reece Conlon, James Sheppard; Tom Clarke, David Watkins; Hamish Barton, Graham Purdy, Dylan Flashman. Sam Davies, Ben Hannah, Jon Wright.

Match Reporter: Mike Attewell.