Neither side looked convincingly in control of this game, for any substantial period, but both had their chances to seal it, until with almost five minutes to go Shelford hit three tries, pouncing on Combe mistakes, to just one in reply for the visitors. This was enough to see hosts Shelford through with a bonus point win, and nothing to show for Combe.

It was hot, the ground was hard, there was no wind. A good crowd, including the Combe travelling support, in shorts and shirt sleeve order. The opening exchanges were scratchy and nervous. Combe were pushed off their first scrum, but very quickly both back divisions soon remembered that the ball in these conditions bounces in mysterious and sometimes helpful ways. A speculative kick ahead by Kieren Leeper was a kind one. He collected and was in by the posts. Luke Giles added the conversion. Combe in the lead, three minutes gone, 0-7. Combe tried again. A quick line out, with Reid Bradford and Hamish Barton interchanging, made ground up the right hand side. Shelford offend, Giles slots the penalty from wide out for 0-10, after ten minutes. Shelford wake up and pound the Combe line. Fierce and tight defence keep them at bay, until pressure tells, but all that is conceded is a successful penalty kick by full back Ed Gough. 3-10. Eighteen minutes gone. The referee calls a drinks interval. The crowd can also catch their breath. Just as well. Shingai Chiwanga chips ahead, but Leeper fields, touches down and with a quick drop out play is suddenly back in the Shelford 22. On twenty-five minutes Combe concede a penalty. Not pretty, but Gough’s kick is over. 6-10. It is still edgy. Combe are trying to unravel a tight Shelford defence. Shelford are not allowed to play with the ball. It may not be end to end, but it is back and forth. Giles misses a chance at goal, but is soon back on defence duties. A relieving kick, a launched attack, line out, drive. Shelford offend again, and Giles slots his second penalty for 6-13, at half time.

The second half started well for the hosts. Combe fumbled the kick off, close to their line, and through phases left, right, left, winger Chiwanga put in fellow winger Jay Williams. No conversion. 11-13. Combe were stung into action and pressed the Shelford line. Line outs, drives, ten yards out, five yards out, but a blitz Shelford defence harried them into error, and certainly allowed Combe little time on the ball. Combe had position, most of the possession, but nothing to show. A penalty shot was well wide. Bradford had a run again from his 22, onto Toby May, good ground, to Dean Sole, but a scoring pass went astray. Instead on a rare visit to Combe territory Shelford won a penalty which Gough was pleased to put over. 14-13. The hosts in the lead for the first time, fifty-five minutes gone. Shelford put a sub. on and with his first touch he was off with a yellow card to the bin. Time for Combe to capitalise. They gave it a go. A furious assault on the Shelford line. Leeper ran close, Giles had a good break, Russell Tumath was over the line but without the ball. Strong scrums. Wave on wave. A try did come. Giles had chipped ahead, Chiwanga fielded and fell, but was tussled off it, Jon Wright collected and powered over. Giles missed his conversion, but still some advantage gained : 14-18. Under ten minutes remaining. There now followed five minutes of mayhem. Combe fumbled the kick off close to their line. Penalty to Shelford. Line out, drive, Redmond Newberry driven over for a try converted by Gough. 21-18. Five minutes to go. Subs are on. Combe field the ball under the posts, but the off load goes to the opposition. Try gratefully received by George Perry, and converted by Gough. 28-18. Chance of a bonus point gone? No. Combe give it another go. Toby May strides up the middle, and gives a scoring pass to Giles to dot down behind the posts, and convert his own try. 28-25. Bonus point ? No. Shelford hit back, in the last minute, when from broken play Williams the winger picks up and scoots back to the posts for his second . The conversion is missed, but immaterial. The result is devastating for Combe, the scoreline equally cruel.

Next Saturday, 30 th April, is the last home game this season for Combe. Kick off at Goddington Dene 3.00pm. There is the lunch beforehand, don’t forget, but probably no more spaces available. We play Worthing.

Combe XV : May; Hockedy, Tumath, Chatley, Leeper; Giles, Edwards; Brooks, Barton, Mitchell, Wright, Clarke, Bradford, Winslade, Wallis.
Sub.s : Rainford, Smith, Sole, Lewis, Davies.
Match reporter : Bruce Mackenzie.