Combe up against confident Ealing.

Combe came up against an in-form Ealing side who, after a slow start, showed top of the table credentials, and at the finish were winners by a comfortable margin. Combe have yet to hit their stride this season, and this fixture was always going to be a tough challenge. That they did compete for periods of the game was not reflected in the final score, perhaps, but Ealing were patient in attack, strong in defence, and swift to punish errors from the visitors.
There was warm October sunshine before the start, but right on kick-off this changed to leaden skies, and it soon began to rain. Combe had the elements behind them and took the game to Ealing straightaway, but the home side defended from far out and Combe’s only reward for all their possession was a drop goal by Giles to get the scoreboard started ( 0-3). Ealing quickly replied with a try, out on the left, by the loose head, Buchanan, which converted by Hallett, took the lead (7-3). Combe hacked out of defence and had a penalty chance which was pushed wide of the posts. Ealing went further ahead with a try for the scrum half Martin, with a straight run from the base of a ruck. Converted the score was now 14-3. On thirty minutes centre Price was put in for a third score, also converted for 21-3, and it looked like the game was fast slipping away for Combe. However, Leeper had another good run down the right, but the chip ahead was not gathered, another penalty shot was scuffed, Preocanin made good ground, but still there was no breakthrough. The rain eased and the first half ended.
The second period began with Combe under pressure from the start, and without the ball. They conceded a string of penalties, and after ten minutes a try, under the posts, from a quick heel, converted again to stretch the lead to 28-3. Defending at and over the limits brought a yellow card for Combe and Ealing took advantage with another score, working the blindside, to put the scrum half in at the corner. Not converted, score 33-3. Combe were still under siege. Davies broke out from under the posts to the half way line but the attack was swallowed up by the cover, and after another penalty was given away Ealing went in for try number six, by the posts for a simple conversion. 40-3. There were still twenty minutes to go, and the tempo picked up. Leeper was bundled into touch close to the corner and from the ensuing phases across the pitch, Sole bulldosed over for a try which was converted by Giles. Score 40-10. Some reward for Combe’s efforts, but thereafter the Ealing defence remained secure. Combe also kept the home side at bay, until the closing minutes when from some scrappy play mid-field the ball was hacked through, and with a kind bounce Ealing touched down by the posts to take the final score, with the conversion to 47-10.

Combe XV: Purdy; Hockedy, Spelman, Davies, Leeper; Giles, Stevenson; McKinnell, Brooks, Mitchell, Watkins, Alexander, Preocanin, Street,T., Winslade. Subs ( used ); Sole, Wright, Lambden, Brown.

Next Saturday, 23 rd October, Combe are home at Goddington Dene to league newcomers Taunton, kick-off 3.00 pm.

Match reporter: Bruce Mackenzie.