Two plus one equals eight! That is the outcome of Combe's back to back wins. Last week they made heavy-weather of it—against Thurrock—this week it was the heavy weather that made the news, namely the wind, the short, heavy rain we're getting use to. Only two kicks out of ten were successful and both assumed huge significance in the scheme of things.

Combe started the game at pace and did not seem to let up for the first hour. East Grinstead in contrast just couldn't get out of the blocks. So different to what most of us were expecting after recent Home games and a team lying third in the League—we could hardly believe our eyes!

Despite a couple of previous attempts Combe were first on the board after 21 minutes with the most bizarre penalty, a hoisted kick from E.G.'s, blew back on the bitterly cold wind, over their heads and they were all caught offside.

Iain Gordan converted with the most confident kick of the game but everyone knew from then on that the wind was to be an important factor. Combe had a lot of possession and territory because of it in the first half but their only reward was when prop James Sheppard crossed aided by the rest of the Combe pack.

An 8—nil lead at the interval never looked like it would be enough to beat these elements and E.G.'s as well, a point forcefully made by the Senior members of that club to one another at the break.

Out of necessity Combe quickly changed their tactics as the second half started. Gone was the kicking, possession was everything and it paid huge dividends.

From the kick-off Combe showed patience and crept closer and closer to the E.G.'s line and after 6 minutes the other prop Tim Kavanagh broke clear over the line for his seventh try of the season to make him the most prolific scorer. Of all the conversion attempts this looked the most promising but even this managed to sneak past the post on the wind.

Eleven more minutes elapsed with still more Combe possession and patience and this time it was Iain Gordan who broke down the line for the third try and an 18—nil lead.

In the two or three minutes remaining of the third quarter E.G.'s established a beachhead on the Combe line wide on the right and they made light work, compared to Combe's efforts near the line, of getting flanker Kari Gleave over.

Boosted by their first score of the match a resurgent E.G.'s were soon back on Combe's line, this time the left. Combe's defence withstood a lot of pressure but the effort showed and they were reduced to fourteen men with yellow.

When Combe collapsed the maul again the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try and the inevitable seven points to take E.G.'s score to within six points with fifteen minutes left.

One of the touchline faithful commented that “another one like that would see us lose this.” But Combe were well up to the danger and moved play up to and around E.G.'s 22 and a series of sound Combe lineouts kept them pinned down for an age.

There was a minute left when Combe finally conceded a penalty and the kick took E.G.'s from their own 22 down to near Combe's 5-metre line and probably afraid of another penalty-try their efforts in defence was not enough to keep out substitute Richard Tredgett getting the verdict underneath a mass of players.

A point behind and the conversion to come. Try telling anyone in the Combe camp that with only two kicks all afternoon (one of those from seven yards in the middle of the posts) the odds were heavily stacked against E.G.'s! When it came to it the wind was carrying it wide of the near post before it was halfway.

East Grinstead were obviously disappointed with only a bonus point but in fairness if Combe had not got the result having dominated for so long with evident effort from the start it would have been very unjust. For Combe this was four bonus points: not many would have predicted this result before the game.

COMBE'S SQUAD: Alex Smith; Trent Nattrass, Ben Hough, Ben Hannah, Tom Gray; Iain Gordan, Ben Faurie; Reece Conlon, Hamish Barton, James Sheppard; Tom Clarke, Dave Watkins; Graham Purdey, David Kearsey, Ryan Hatchett. Jon Wright, Niki Davies, Tim Kavanagh.

Ben Hannah was making his starting debute, and Dad was in Paris! Don't ask. Ryan Hatchett made an impressive debute and was playing 3rd Team rugby last year. One to watch.

Match Reporter: Mike Attewell.