Cold comfort for Combe.

Combe were on the receiving end again, away against a strong Richmond side who took a long time to settle before finally running out comfortable winners 33-3, gaining a bonus point in the process. It was a day for the thermals if you were not playing. Bitterly cold but dry, and the going was good. The wind was across the pitch, blowing to the stand. Richmond are pressing for second spot in the table, and have a string of wins stretching back to September. Combe’s fortunes are in direct contrast, but after a shaky start, and as the first half ticked away there was not a lot in it. Richmond were fumbling as they were hustled and harried, but Combe on the counter could not make any impression either. On fifteen minutes Michael McDonough had a shot at goal to open the scoring for Combe but the kick went wide. Soon after he broke clear for a run down the right hand touchline but was overhauled, and although the ball was recycled quickly, Richmond smothered up the attack. They pressed the Combe line and for a while the defence held. On thirty-five minutes though, the referee playing advantage, Richmond’s attack swept right and second row Chris Davies was on hand for the first score. His try was converted by Ross Broadfoot to open the scoring 7-0. Combe tried to bounce back in the closing minutes of the half, but ran into traffic and ran out of time. A charge to the line from a tap penalty was kept out by the Richmond defence, and Combe finished the half close but without any points.
Richmond started the second half with a little more purpose and intent. Full back James Brooks found a gap and was almost through, winger Will Browne went over on the right but no try could be awarded after consultation with the touch judge. Combe had a good shove on in the scrum, but were giving away penalties, and from one Richmond kicked for position, took the line out and drove for the line. The defending maul was split and the way was clear for second row Davies to bag his second score of the game. Fifteen minutes into the half, and although the conversion was missed Richmond were 12-0 up. Combe won a penalty for McDonough to put over for 12-3, but otherwise they were struggling with what ball they had to break down the Richmond defence. Richmond in turn had sharpened up and were playing with more confidence and control. They won a free kick out on the right and from quick tap ball swung left for centre Nick Moore to cut back in through the wrong-footed defence. With his try converted by Broadfoot, Richmond were 19-3 up, and had probably broken Combe’s resistance. Richmond scored again on seventy minutes when winger James Greenwood sliced through on a diagonal run, with hardly a hand laid on him. Try converted by Broadfoot, 26-3. That should have been it, but in injury time there was a soft score for Broadfoot who pounced on Combe’s defensive error and converted his own try for a final score of 33-3.

Combe XV : Hockedy; Leeper, Lewis, Davies, Adeniya; Brown, McDonough; McKinnell, Brooks, Mitchell, Watkins, Wright, Wallace, Bradford, Winslade. Subs. : Kavanagh, Street, C., Barton, Catlin, Foster.

Next Saturday, 5 th February, Combe are home at Goddington Dene in the re-arranged fixture against Old Albanians, kick-off 2 pm.

Match reporter : Bruce Mackenzie.