Combe continue to keep everyone guessing and running through the permutations for league survival as they earned another five precious points at the expense of hapless Hinckley, first time visitors to Goddington Dene, and themselves with both feet in the drop zone. Combe, through Kieren Leeper, raced away for an early lead that was never bettered, and despite a lull in the second half, and three scores from the visitors who battled away to the end, Combe were always in control.

Combe meant business right from the start. The conditions were good. Dry, bright, firm underfoot, and little wind if any. With a penalty Combe kicked for a line out and from the second phase Kieren Leeper came in from his wing to score his first try under the posts, with Luke Giles adding the conversion. 7-0. Seven minutes gone. On the quarter hour Leeper was in at the corner for his second try after a run down the touch line. No conversion. On twenty- five minutes Leeper had bagged his hat-trick when Giles put him in for another score by the posts, and which he converted. It was not one way traffic, but Combe were enjoying good and quick possession which they were using positively. At times they also had to defend and absorb Hinckley attacks, until on the half hour with a rolling maul at the corner Jamie Harrop was driven over to open the visitors account. The try was not converted.. 19-5. But Combe were back at the other end. Hinckley were conceding penalties, and from one re-set scrum Giles went through a yawning gap after at least one show-and-go. He converted his own try, and that was the half time score 26-5, and a bonus point secured.

The second half started with a long run by Hinckley full back Jon Lowden straight up the middle to be stopped just short of the line, and Combe had a penalty kick to relieve the pressure. David Brooks was in the bin, and with the advantage in numbers Hinckley drove Harrop over in the corner for his second score. No conversion. 26-10. Zane Winslade won a turnover and set off Craig Chatley and Tom Hockedy. Combe were back on the attack. Reid Bradford burst clear of a maul, and from the next phase it looked like Jordan Mitchell was in under the posts but instead was brought back for a forward pass along the way. Tom Hockedy looked to be in the clear, but was stopped by a tackle just short. Toby May set up a counter attack that reached five yards out after a series of good off-loads. The next score was proving elusive….until Marlon Rainford picked up a loose ball on the Hinckley ten metre line, and found he had a clear run along the touch line, in front of the stand, past the Gumbo stand, and all the way to the corner, much to the home crowd’s delight and relief. Giles missed the conversion. 31-10. Fifteen minutes to go. Immediately after came an end to end score. Loads of off-loads and support. Tom Clarke started in his 22, to Craig Chatley, then Gavin Wallis made ground, to Hamish Barton, onto Zane Winslade, and finally to Jon Wright to plunge over. Man of the match Luke Giles missed the conversion. 36-10, and ten minutes to go. Charlie Edwards made a break, Daniel Hamilton had a run, but it was Hinckley that scored next when from a quick tap penalty midfield Sam Greasley had a good run into the Combe 22, and with swift recycling winger Andrew Summerton was put in by the posts. The conversion was not successful. This was into injury time and in the dying minutes Combe were still seeking to improve the score line, with Leeper almost through and Barton over but without the ball. Final score 36-15. Five more league points, three games to go. Who knows what may happen? Only under communism is the future certain.

Combe travel to Shelford next Saturday, and on April 30th there is the last home game of the season against Worthing.

Combe XV : May; Leeper, Tumath, Davies, Hockedy; Giles, Edwards; Brooks, Barton, Mitchell, Wright, Clarke, Sole, Winslade, Bradford.
Sub.s : Rainford, Tidd, Wallis, Hamilton, Chatley.

Match reporter : Bruce Mackenzie.