What a great advert for the game of Rugby as both sides indulged in try scoring feast in the sunshine at Goddington Dene. While OAs ran the ball at every opportunity using their young outfit to great effect, Combe relied more on the sabre than the rapier to deliver their scores.

Combe had taken an early lead with mercurial scrum half Mikel Davies scoring one try with a jinking run and making a second for his fellow half back Nathan Wyman. Although Combe were dominating the breakdown at this point it was the visitors that came back fast and strong racking up 4 tries in the 10 minutes before half-time; a couple from Ben Alexander and a brace from Alessandro Ricci with 3 conversions from the boot of Sam Jones to make the score 14-26 at the break.

Combe upped their physicality as the second period started and quick scores from Elliott Roofe with a chunky carry close to the line and Harry Hudson again with a close quarter rumble brought the home side level. On 50 minutes the home defence was splintered and Stephen Hitetah strolled in but that lead was short lived when Naj Mundicha scored to make it 33 apiece.

OAs were next to score when Alex Noot dotted down but Combe edged ahead when Taine Wagstaff scored and Wyman converted. When Noot wriggled free for his second Old Albanian were ahead but a rumble from Nick Cook over the line by brought the scores level at 45-45 and when Wyman struck a penalty it looked as if the spoils were going to the home side but a last gasp effort by hat trick hero Alexander ruined the home team party and kept up the Hertfordshire side’s winning streak.

Consensus all round was a draw might have been a fair reflection of the skill and effort both sides put in but all credit to OAs who went for the winning score in the dying minutes. Both games have been very close so there’s much to anticipate when we meet, in all likelihood, next season.