Combe had much more of this game than the score suggests especially when most of their points came with the very last move of the match. They probably had more of the ball and certainly more of the territory, but a ten-minute spell put pay to any ambitions. The difference was mobility, Combe were very static throughout while TJ's could produce great speed across the board. Four of their five tries came from the forwards and only Lee Campion's try from the backs but it was the initial breaks from them that set up all four.

TJ's opened the scoring within the first few minutes. Back-row Tom Noott getting the relatively easy try and Luke Magris converting.

Combe were to dominate in terms of territory for the best part of the next thirty minutes but the solitary Iain Gordan penalty was scant reward for a pedestrian display that in fairness TJ's had little problem containing.

Combe's dominance had a hand in their undoing, after such a period all the resources were devoted to attack so when their chance came TJ's were ruthless. Only just outside their 22, ball from the scrum, a couple or two of swift hands and Lee Campion hitting the ball at pace on the tight side easily rode any attempt to get near him and once clear had nothing to do accept head for the posts. Luke Magris's conversion was a formality.

At the break TJ's lead at 14—3 looked a bit lopsided to the very small but perfectly formed Combe support and an early score and more penetration would be game on.

The early score soon came with Iain Gordan slotting his second penalty in a very indisciplined TJ's display. Luke Magris's attempt to restore the gap a few minutes later failed but within the next ten minutes TJ's were to prove their superiority and put the game well beyond the reach of Combe.

Enterprising running from the backs, deft handling and passing saw the TJ's forwards deep inside Coombe's 22. Some good honest forwards play saw second-row Tristan Sweden getting the touch-down. Five minutes later Lee Campion fielded an overhead kick close to the left touch and was soon at full pace into a mass of players, he made it to within a few metres of the line but had to offer a popped-up pass in the tackle to Tom Nabbs who finished the job to secure the bonus. Luke Magris converted both, the second from quite wide.

Four minutes later and Coombe were again retreating to their goal-line after prop Mike O'Sullivan had crossed again in the left corner.

There was still a good 15 minutes to go and Combe looked like they had had enough. But true to form their resilient spirit shone through. Hanging on for dear life initially (or perhaps tackling with stoic determination would be more appropriate) they made their way slowly back into the game and in the last minute Niki Davies found a gap running diagonally to the line. Iain Gordan converted with the last kick of the game.

This was the first game at The Slade since 14th December when flooding severely damaged the clubhouse, and the pitch is still under water. There is a real Dunkerque spirit about the place both inside the marquee, taking care of their hospitality, and out on the pitch, which was a long and painful walk for some of us, and the team produced a better performance than they have done for sometime, apparently, for a win richly deserved.

Combe should not be too down on themselves because that ten minutes of rugby would have sunk (no pun intended) most clubs. They must learn to make more use of their possession, for twenty minutes of this game (two yellow cards) they had an extra body but didn't make it count at all. There are still a lot of League points available from our remaining games and that is what will really count.

Combe Squad: Alex Smith; Trent Natrass, Graham Purdy, Ben Hannah, Niki Davies; Iain Gordan, Ben Faurie; Reece Conlon, Hamish Barton, James Sheppard; Tom Clarke, Jon Wright; Dylan Flashman, Chris Lewis, Ryan Hackett. Tim Kavanagh, Calohard Thibaud, Josh Penney.

Match Reporter: Mike Attewell.