Combe win at Worthing

The preparation for this game could not have been any worse, several starting players missing from Thursday's run though and a number making themselves unavailable for the match, some pulling out less than 24 hours before the game. Some had very genuine reasons whilst others (and you know who you are) offered feeble excuses subsequently letting their team mates and coaches down. Losing captain and influential lock Mark Deaville to the 1st team on the day also disrupted our already shambolic preparation. Tuesday selection saw us with a pool of 24 players to choose from, it may come as a surprise then that at 8pm the night before the game, this had reduced to 14!!. Step in Matt Swan and JJ Snape at the 11th hour who both contributed significantly to this impressive victory, add along side them the ever improving Joe Birch playing his 1st game at this level and we somehow managed to cobble together a squad of 16.

It was no real suprise then that as the players, many out of position, were still tying to organise themselves, we found themselves on the wrong end of a 12-0 scoreline with barely 10 minutes on the clock, the touchline faithful would have been forgiven for thinking that was going to be one of those days where we would be on the end of a right royal thumping such was Worthing's dominance in the early exchanges.

Combe finally got on the scoreboard with 2 well taken penalties by Phillip Loyden before Worthing replied with a penalty of their own. The try of the match followed with a break from halfway, Loyden and Bradley Kayton combining well up the right hand side to see the latter dot down in the corner to further reduce the arrears. The score was now 15-11 and the Combe lads were resurgent, confident, and playing some exceptional rugby, surprisingly against the run of play, some slightly sloppy defending allowed Worthing to score a converted try to take us into half time 22-11 behind.

The lads attitude at half time was superb, yes they had allowed Worthing to take a commanding lead and given the difficulties in actually getting a side out, could have been forgiven for thinking that a victory was now out of reach. These lads had a different approach and it was all positive noise coming from the huddle, no moaning only encouragement and great attitudes so despite the adversity we knew that if we were going to go down, at least we would go down fighting.

The second half was probably the best display of rugby I have seen this season, Brierley who had been dominant had to come off with an injured calf and with no further replacements available, the 15 on the pitch new they had a massive job on their hands if they were to come away with anything from the game.
An early try from the exceptional James Catlin started the comeback to put us only 6 points behind, The X-Men were really on the ascendancy now and turned up the gas, they could sense that Worthing were struggling to keep up at this stage, such was the pace and intensity on display from the visitors and they ultimately fell foul of the referee, conceding a number of penalties. Under pressure, Loyden stepped up to kick at goal when the distance and angle meant that kicking for position was possibly a better option but on both occasions he added the points which complimented his man of the match performance.
With the score now at 22 each, Combe could smell blood and went for the win, Mark Nimmo getting a well deserved try, his 1st for the Extra 1st XV which would ultimately end the scoring and finish the game with a 27-22 victory.
We had turned around an 11 point half time deficit to win by 5 and also prevented Worthing from adding to their tally which was equally as impressive.

Well done lads, the coaches and management were extremely proud of you today, there were several exceptional individual performances but this was a magnificent team effort to which each and every one of you contributed. Thank you to the lads that stepped in at the 11th hour and those that were forced to play out of position. Great contribution, great attitude.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Squad
MATT BRIERLEY
REECE CONLON
JAMIE TAYLOR
JJ SNAPE
DAN GILLING
DAVE WATKINS
MARK NIMMO
JAMES CATLIN
SCOTT CROSBY
JOE SIMPSON
BRADLEY KAYTON
PHILLIP LOYDEN
GRAHAM PURDY
JOE BIRCH
DANIEL TOMS
MATT SWAN

Scorers
TRY'S
KAYTON
CATLIN
NIMMO

PENALTIES
LOYDEN (4)