Combe almost claimed a second successive major scalp against first time visitors to Goddington Dene, Jersey, finishing two points adrift at the close, 31-33. But in truth Combe had given themselves too much to do after going 20 points down in the first quarter, and with the set piece under pressure in the second half. Still it was an eight try thriller which kept the large crowd, basking in spring sunshine on tenterhooks all the way through, and each side were rewarded with valuable league points.

Combe showed some team changes from the week before, at tight-head, in the backs, where Daniel Hamilton was making his first start, and Reid Bradford returning to the back row. Jersey kicked off with the breeze behind them. Combe allowed the kick to bounce and immediately were back on their own try line. Scrum to Jersey, No.8 pick-up, try to Ashley Elphinston, converted by full back Michael Le Bourgeois. Visitors 0-7 up, one minute gone. Combe launched their first attack but the ball was spilled in the tackle, with the line within reach. Combe began to concede penalties at the break down. Le Bourgeois had three shots at goal, and found his target twice. 0-13 with fifteen minutes gone. And within a minute Jersey scored their second try. Prop David Maddocks made a straight run, and with swift recycling, winger James Copsey was in at the left corner and round under the posts for a try converted by Le Bourgeois again. 0-20. It could have been over but Combe had a bit of luck. They ran out of the 22, chipped ahead, but the bounce was picked up by the Jersey defence. They countered but threw a wild bouncing pass which was snapped up by Combe’s young winger Hamilton who scorched in from 40 metres. Luke Giles converted the try for 7-20. Five minutes later, with a penalty to Combe, the lineout was won, and with the following drive Reid Bradford was over for a try, again converted by Giles. 14-20. Combe were clawing their way back into the game. Tom Hockedy had a good run but was overhauled, but when the Jersey defence were penalised, the kick was within range for Giles. 17-20. Combe put themselves under pressure as again they failed to gather the kick off. A series of scrums on the line, and the Jersey pack were now getting on top, but they charged at one, and conceded the free kick. Chance for Jersey gone. Combe’s Zane Winslade made ground out of defence with an interception, kick and chase, but Combe were penalised at the breakdown. The position and opportunity were lost. So was Combe’s concentration. Right on half time, Jersey from just inside their own half passed along the line through hands, for right winger David Doherty to round the Combe defence, and score at the corner. The conversion attempt drifted wide. 17-25.

Combe turned round and now enjoyed the breeze at their backs. Hamish Barton came on as sub, as Ross Denton went off, and David Brooks moved to the tight head. Early on Combe had a penalty shot at goal, but this was scuffed; Nikki Davies almost made an interception on the half way line; Bradford emerged with the ball from the middle of a Jersey drive, and with Winslade made off for the line; Combe had a line out drive in a good position but failed to use the ball as they were held. Then with almost twenty minutes of the half gone, Jersey with more or less their first foray into the Combe half had a penalty which Le Bourgeois duly kicked for 17-28. Combe were having to live off scraps and turnovers. The scrum was under particular pressure, but they worked up to the Jersey line and from a series of drives Bradford went over for his second score. This was converted, just, by Giles for 24-28. Into the last quarter Jersey missed a penalty shot, and then proceeded to lay siege to the Combe line. But Combe kept them out with fierce and resolute defence. Drive after drive failed. The three-man wedges failed. Held out and held up. Their best chance was back to the set piece, and from a scrum near the posts No. 8 Elphinston went over for his second try, but the conversion was missed. 24-33. Jersey had their bonus point but a win was by no means certain. Combe kept them, and the crowd guessing until the finish. With only three minutes to go Kieran Leeper intercepted in his own half, set up a ruck on the 22, and the ball was recycled quickly. Russell Tumath saw a gap and went for it himself, shook off a couple of tackles, and was in behind the posts for a bonus point try. Giles converted for 31-33. It was a nervous finish, but Combe held out for the last two minutes, and could claim a second bonus point.

Next week Combe are away at Old Albanians. The next home game is on April 16th against Hinckley.

Combe XV ; Trendell; Hamilton, Chatley, Davies, Hockedy; Giles, Stevenson; Kavanagh, Brooks, Denton, Wright, Clarke, Winslade, Sole, Bradford.
Sub.s : Catlin, Barton, Wallis, Leeper, Tumath.

Match Reporter - Bruce Mackenzie