Combe romped away with a big win, 71-15, at Goddington Dene over fellow league strugglers Newbury. A burst of four tries in the first quarter set up the win and the bonus point, and from then on the result was never in doubt. This was a long way from the previous league meeting between the two sides back in October when Combe won not entirely convincingly by eleven points, but in the meantime Combe have improved and Newbury seem to have slipped off the pace. They have also been injury hit, so much so that they fielded several players out of position. This was Combe’s first home win of the season, and for some supporters, the first win they had seen for over a year. Well earned, most welcome.

The conditions were good, the pitch dry, a bit of sunshine, barely any wind, a sizeable crowd. Score early, score often. Combe duly obliged on five minutes with a try by John Coleman, after a half break by Niki Davies, followed by a try from Reid Bradford who ran a good angle to streak away to the posts. Both tries were converted by Paul Trendell. A kick ahead on the left hand touch line bounced kindly for Tom Hockedy to trot in for his first try, and Coleman claimed his second when a yawning gap opened up for him. This try was converted, and with barely fifteen minutes gone the game was more or less over. Combe dropped their guard and allowed Martin Freeman in at the corner for a try for the visitors after a cross field run, but thereafter normal service was resumed with another try for Hockedy, and one for Combe’s other winger Kieran Leeper. Score at half time 36-5. Combe dominated possession and the breakdown allowing scrum-half Charlie Edwards, a chip off the old block, an armchair ride and an endless supply of ball to feed the backs.

Combe began the second half with two immediate scores, the first try for Zane Winslade, bursting clear from the 22, and the second one, Coleman’s third, who picked up from a ruck and went clean through, after good approach work by the front rowers Hamish Barton and David Brooks. With both tries converted the score was now 50-5, and Combe went off the boil. Substitutes came on for both sides, and for a period Newbury pressed the Combe line. Combe defended up to and over the limit, conceding a penalty and with it a yellow card, but Newbury were unable to take any advantage. Indeed with his first touch of the ball after his ten minute rest, Hockedy got his third try after a run down the left hand touch line. The provider Luke Giles converted. Into the last quarter Tim Kavanagh surprised himself when he intercepted on the 10 metre line and had a gallop all the way to the line. This was also converted by Giles. Ten minutes afterwards came perhaps the best try : Leeper began from his own line, made half way, found Bradford in support, who then found man-of -the-match Winslade steaming up on his inside to score under the posts. A straightforward conversion for Giles. 71-5 to Combe with five minutes left. Newbury had the final say however when No. 8 Josefa Kava barrelled over from a lineout drive, and full back Oscar Matthews squeezed in at the right hand corner. Neither try was converted, so the game finished at 71-15.

A heartening and confident win for Combe, but some big games loom on the horizon. They are away at Clifton next Saturday. The next home game is the re-arranged fixture against Shelford on 19th March.

Combe XV : May; Leeper, Coleman, Davies, Hockedy; Trendell, Edwards; McKinnell, Barton, Mitchell, Wallis, Wright, Winslade, Hopkins, Bradford.
Sub.s : Brooks, Kavanagh, Farris, Tumath, Giles.

Match reporter - Bruce Mackenzie.