Combe Extra's win away at Chichester

Combe coming into the game on the back of there tough defeat to Richmond was in a confident mood that if they played the same rugby they would get the result this time.

The first 10 minutes was all about both sides trying to get a hold on the game, a good strong run from hooker Callum Buckler bringing some excitement to the game, on 11 minutes a great break by centre Ben Hennah see him pop the ball to winger jack Robertson the winger was hit with a no arms tackle, from the penalty Combe showed there intent by kicking to the corner, a good catch and drive see the pack over the try line James Catlin touching down for the try, pat Moore converts 0-7.
From the restart a break by Ted Lang with Joe Simpson in support draws in the defence and pops to Robertson who chips the ball on, the ball bouncing 5 meters out Ben Hennah gets to the ball but unfortunately knocks on, a good line out by Combe just inside the Chichester half the mauled there opponents back 20 meters scrum half joe birch made a sniping break but was hit with a high tackle, penalty to Combe which pat Moore hits the post with the attempted kick at goal.

30 minutes played and Chichester worked there way deep in the Combe half after good phase play by the home side Combe have away a penalty Chichester kicked to the corner and from the resulting line out drove Combe over for a try, conversion hit the post 5-7.

From the restart Combe was on the Back foot, before we knew it pat Moore was forced back behind our own in goal area to touch down and concede a 5 meter scrum, the Chichester 8 went blind from the scrum with the 9 and winger in support they went on to score in the corner, conversion missed 10-7.

Combe began to find there feet and get a bit of a hold on the game, good phases by the pack with young props Paddy Briggs and jack Lloyd being useful with ball in hand, Chichester eventually being penalised and a player being sent to the sin bin gave Combe another chance for the forwards to work the line out from 5 meters out, another good take and James catlin was driven over for his 2nd try, conversion missed 10-12, more strong breaks by Ben Hennah who was a handful for Chichester to cope with throughout and mark nimmo ended in a penalty just outside the 22m pat Moore kicks the 3 and Combe lead 10-15 at half time.

Chichester started off well in the 2nd half putting Combe on the back foot, good defence from 2nd row John Wright was helping slow the Chichester ball down, after a scrum in midfield the Chichester 10 received the ball and looped around the centres drawing in the Combe defence to create a 2 on 1 where they scored in the corner, conversion missed 15-15.

The game was evenly in the balance until the 57th minute where another strong Combe lineout 5 meters out ended up with replacement Jamie sims this time being driven over for the score, pat Moore converts from out wide 15-22.

Good work from the pack to get good position just outside the 22m birch ships the ball to joe Simpson who hits Kieran Leeper with a long pass, the winger hitting his line at speed to step and race in for the try 15-27 with 10 minutes to play.

Chichester hit back immediately basic patterns of play and good hands down the line was the result of Chichesters next try, to their credit the few times they played rugby and executed there play they did look a very dangerous side, but credit to Combe as we did limit there chances and disrupted there play, the try was converted 22-27

The last play of the game would see a Combe scrum 5 meters out, the pack getting the nudge on there opponents to allow James Catlin to pick up and go over for his hat-trick and a final score of 22-32.

A tough ground out win for the 2s onwards and upwards as we travel to Bishop Stortford next week. Mentions this week go to Ben Hennah who caused Chichester all sorts of problems and also ted lang who was great in attack , defence and in general all over the park.

Match reporter: Ricky Cook