X-Men run out convincing winners

Ricky Cook reports:

"Combe traveled to Guilford on Saturday in what was a game of two halves with Combe not getting out of 2nd gear in the first half to only lead 12-26 at half time, a better showing in the 2nd half where Combe was able to pile on 50 points made the result a lot more pleasing.

The game kicked off and Combe was obviously the stronger of the 2 sides, luckily for guilford Combe didn't want to play much rugby in the first half with passes going all over the place, poor decisions being made and white line fever kicking in!!. Within 5 minutes Combe took the lead a couple of strong breaks by centre Ben Hennah got Combe up to the guilford 22, the ball was quickly shipped out to winger Joe Birch to score his first of 4 try's, Iain Gordon converted 0-7, shortly after more strong ball carrying from centre Ben Hennah lead to the home side being penalised for going in off there feet at the ruck, a quick tap penalty by hooker ted Lang making good yards before shipping it along to jamie Niven who drew in the defence and offloaded to flanker Ryan Hackett to score the try, conversion missed 0-12.

Guilford then kicked into life, a good break and offload to their winger who hit a good line, to score a well worked try, conversion missed 5-12, Combes next score came from winger Joe Birch coming off his wing drawing in the defence in midfield and sending a pass outwide which went along the floor but luckily James kenward was on hand to gather and race in for the score, Gordon converts 5-19

From the restart it was the props having there say in how they wanted the game to be played as a strong break by prop Paddy Briggs making good yards before popping the ball to jack Lloyd who went on a strong 20 meter run before a nice offload to the impressive Richard Halstead who was at the thick of everything for Combe got the ball to Jamie Niven for a well worked try in the corner, touch line conversion from Gordon was good and Combe lead 5-26. Just before halftime Guilford hit back, there 14 once again making a good break and going on the outside to score, try converted 12-26

Halftime but by no means a performance Combe could be proud of, so after a stern team talk with exactly what was expected of them Combe come out a different side

From a lineout 30 meters out in the Guilford half a good take by Halstead set the platform the ball was shipped out down the back line for James Kenward to score a good team try, conversion missed 12-31.
Straight from the restart Combe immediately got themselves back in the Guilford 22 with a break by Niven to pop the ball up to Birch to go in under the posts, Gordon converts 12-38. The next try see's a clever little chip over the rushing Guilford defence, for Jamie Niven to gather and sprint in from 40 meters out, Gordon again converting 12-45, a good break down the right wing by James Kenward he had the impressive back row replacement Harry Holland in support to go over for the score, the 17 year old showing exactly what he can do in attack as well as making the biggest hit of the game. Gordon converted extending' Combe's lead 12-52.

The try's were coming thick and fast next was Ben Hennah crashing his way over for a unconverted try and straight after 2nd row Jamie Taylor was in out wide on the wing to gather Iain Gordon's cross field kick and score, next was Joe Birch showing real speed to burn the Guilford fullback on the outside and go in under the posts, Birch finished the match with the final try after good support play and good speed, Birch himself landing the brilliant touch line conversion for a final score of 12-76.