Under a new coaching team, Westcombe Park delivered an opening game victory but a strong finish by visitors Henley twitched the Combe support’s nerve ends as the match drew to a close. Both sides secured try bonus points a fact replicated across the league as defences struggled with hard conditions underfoot.

The home side went ahead early on, co-captain Callum Harris scoring at the back of a dominant driven maul. Player of the match Mac Duabie was provider of the next Combe try for fellow back rower David Rufai and when Ben Fryatt scored after a fine break through the middle Combe were cruising at 19-0. But Henley got a couple of scores of their own after intense pressure on the home line to narrow the gap to 19-14. A hugely impressive 20 metre line out drive by the home pack was finished off by Harris notching his second try of the afternoon. Try bonus secured and 26-14 at the half.

That lead increased to 33-14, Fryatt finishing off a storming break by Duabie when the No 8 slipped him a delightful pass inside. Max Brown then slotted his fourth successful kick of the afternoon. Henley responded with gusto and after pressing the Combe line finally squeezed over with around 15 minutes to go and the scoreline tightening to 33-21. Max Brown crossed to give Combe a bit of breathing space at 38-21 which proved invaluable as Henley finished strongly.

Combe were down to 14 players and under the cosh and the visitors scored under the posts making it 38-28 and getting their try bonus point. There was still some time on the clock and Henley launched an attack from the deep, full back Tom Molhoek running from his own half to score the try of the match. The successful conversion made it 38-35 and it was the home support that were keenest for the final whistle. A Combe penalty was duly tapped and sent to touch to end a pulsating contest.

On the road to newly promoted Colchester next week.