X-Men win at Tring

In our very 1st encounter against new boy's Tring, the X-Men ran out comfortable winners in the end but certainly didn't have it all their own way.

Tring are a very useful side indeed and once they become more cohesive as the season matures, they will certainly be a force to be reckoned with. Tring were pushed back in the scrum and lost several against the head in both halves but more than made up for this apparent frailty with superior work in the loose, turning over lots of 'Combe ball, a fantastic rolling maul with hard running powerful centres and lightening pace on the wings, we had to be at our defensive best to restrict our oppo to 2 scores.

The score could have been much more of a significant win for the Combe lads when on at least 7 occasions we suffered from the early season syndrome of white line fever, poor decision making, non existent support play and handling errors due to over elaboration when keeping it simple would have resulted in a score but it is these early games that we need to learn and take the lessons into the following game.

There were many positives, a great result with points scored from all over the park,a couple of flashes of individual brilliance but by and large, the try's came from playing simple rugby and sticking to the moves and calls practiced on the training paddock. Superior fitness was also a significant factor, particularly in the second half and showed why doing your own fitness work between sessions is a vital as the Tues & Thursday sessions.

First to dot down was new player Bradley Kayton who broke a number of tackles and danced his way through the Tring defence to earn a debut try, this youngster who has moved from Cape Town showed that he has the makings of a quality player and looked dangerous every time he had the ball, some work on his defensive positions will see him develop but can be forgiven for any errors as it was his debut both for 'Combe and English style rugby.

Another debut from Haydn Wilds, boy can this lad scrummage. A tight head by trade went on at loose and completely dominated, almost pushing the pack around on his own, Haydn also gave the lads a lesson in how and more importantly where to tackle as his first within 10 seconds of coming on as a replacement was text book stuff, low and hard which actually seems be be a fair description of the man himself!

Harry Fry showed that he has developed well whilst away in NZ and has returned a better player, accurate in the line out which completely dominated and an absolute terrier around the park with his familiar lead by example performance. On this showing, will be in the mix for 1st XV selection this week. Needs some work on his chat up lines in supermarket car park's though!

Reece Conlon got lost on the way to Sidcup and ended up on the X-Men's bus to Tring, his first season playing at this level he showed why he will flourish in this side and learn from the more experienced players around and opposing him. Lots of positive graft and scrummaged well, a little way to go until he is the finished article but certainly one to watch for the future. With the commitment and appetite to learn and develop that he has shown through pre-season, he will develop and ultimately make 1st XV, it will take time but time is what he has on his side.

Alex Foster is another that will be in the mix for 1st XV selection, with explosive pace, great hands and fearless tackling, he marshaled the back line very well as well as taking his opportunities to break when the opportunity arose, unfortunately and despite great support running, he didn't see enough ball which was frustrating for him but remained disciplined positionally.

Other noteable performances from Rob Payne, another returning from a stint in NZ used his speed and vision to create space and openings for both the forwards and the back line. Jamie Taylor, once again gave everything, fitness may be an issue but this lad leaves nothing on the park, carried well and done his job of sucking in defenders to create defensive holes which were expolited well, started the game at lock and then after being replaced, returned to the action at loose head showing what a versatile player he is, needs to lay off the fags (and possibly give up smoking!) Chris Lewis showed why he is so valuable to the squad, another leading by example with great pace and ferocious tackling, you could see the opposition physically wilt every time Chris ran straight lines at the Tring defence such was his intensity. Good & hard (but that's another story)

Worthing at home next weekend which will be a completely different proposition from the opening match last season, Worthing have strengthened well and will be a tough opponent. We will need to up the intensity and work more as a team in order to secure the win.

Scorers
Try's
Harry Fry
Max Cantwell
Bradley Kayton
Chris Lewis
Alex Foster
Andrew Mead
Rob Payne

Conversions
Phil Loyden
Joe Simpson (2)
Rob Payne (2)