Combe give it their best at Bury

Or did it? Combe gave away two soft scores in the first ten minutes and two late scores at the finish. For all Combe’s possession and position they only had a penalty try, and a late consolation score in reply. Bury showed why they were on top: they may have been bested in some areas at times, but they were patient and turned their few chances into points.
It was a bright, sunny spring day, at last. The going and conditions were good. The home team were off to a flying start. In the first minute, they won a turnover, got into the right corner and spinning it left, Tim Mann with an arcing run was over. Tom Bird converted. Combe hit back and pressed close to Bury’s line, but an interception by winger Chris Snelling saw him scamper away to the other end for a second score, again converted. 14-0 down with ten minutes gone. It could be a long afternoon, but instead, it seemed that the rest of the first period was played in Bury’s half, as Combe began to dominate, with the occasional counter by the home team, that was dealt with by the now tighter Combe defence. But no points, and the half was coming to a close. Bury’s defence seemed equal to the task. However the pressure eventually told. Combe had the upper hand at the scrum, Bury were a man temporarily short, and after a succession of scrums under the posts, Combe were awarded a penalty try, converted by Paul Humphries. It came on the stroke of half-time. It was vital for Combe to have some points on the board, after all their efforts to get back in the game. Half-time 14-7.
Combe would have their work cut out at the turn round. They took the game to the opposition, claiming the re-start and setting up position within the 22, a good drive from the line-out, a chip through, but Bury survived. Indeed they earned a penalty shot which full back Tom Bird put over to eke out a ten point lead. Combe brought on the changes, and the game opened up, the pace quickened. Going into the last quarter there was still no breakthrough. It was Bury’s turn to set up camp near Combe’s line in the left corner, but a combination of Combe’s defence and wrong options from the Bury pack saw Combe survive for a while only for Bury’s Ollie Watson to squeeze in at the corner. No conversion. 22-7 to the home side, ten minutes left on the clock, it could all be over. It probably was, as Bury scenting a bonus point went over again five minutes later, Tim Mann put in the clear after a counter attack up the left. The score now at 27-7 did not do justice to Combe’s efforts. They were still full of running, and were not finished yet. Kieran Leeper started it with a run up the left touchline, Trent Nattrass carried it on, into the 22, re-cycled and Ben Hough was in space to dive over. Try converted by Paul Humphries, for 27-14, but that was full-time. No league points but at least Combe had made the home side work all the way for theirs.

Our DOR Andy Foley said " A Frustrating Game. Bury are a very good side and we are able to take many positives from Saturdays game, but we could have and possibly should have won the encounter. We enjoyed the lions share of the possession, but did not manage to turn the possession into territory, and then build pressure in the "Red Zone" accumulating points. On too many occasions we allowed BSE easy outs. I thought the pack had a great game, our level of physicality was brutal at times. Richard Paddick leading the way with some heavy hits. The backs were a threat all day, but possibly missed an edge of penetration that a Hennah or Young would bring to the party. Apart from the start, our defence was strong all day, and the boys can be proud of a very good performance. 17 year old Harry Holland looked completely at home on debut, and we were all delighted to see Omar Dixon back in a 1st XV shirt, I'm sure we will here more about Dixon over the next 6 weeks,if conditions stay like this."

We are now in the endgame of the league programme. There are just two home games remaining: against Westcliff on 21st March, and against CS Rugby on 11th April. Both games are preceded by Supporters’ lunches, the last game being the traditional Old Crocks’ lunch. Book early to avoid disappointment.

Westcombe Park XV: K. Leeper; T. Gray, T. Nattrass, B. Hough, J. Penney; P. Humphries, B. Faurie; M. Poole, H. Barton, R. Conlon, L. Bellinger, D. Flashman, R. Paddick, C. Lewis, M. Arvier.
Subs: T. Lang, H. Holland, O. Dixon.

Match reporter – Bruce Mackenzie.