Combe's Late Season “Slump” Continues at Shelford

When Combe entertained Tonbridge/Juddians in the last match of last year Combe were second in the League and a win would have had them vying for top spot.

Now seven matches later and despite thumping wins against Amersham & Chilts, Westcliff and Dorking we are third but 15 points behind Wimbledon in second place and a further 5 down on TJ's.

The best defence record in the League is still not enough to keep us remotely in touch despite a mere goal and a bit (8 points to be precise) separating the sides in just three games in which we have been on the receiving end.

This match unfortunately, fell into the catalogue of the above and to borrow a cliché from another code was a game of two halves.

It started with Shelford kicking-off deep into the Combe 22. A sound scrum from the breakdown, a kick over the top, an enthusiastic chase and that was virtually the last Shelford saw of the Combe half for thirty minutes.

Combe pinged the ball around and were always on the move with some really attractive rugby almost always started by Charlie Edwards from the base of the scrum or breakdown with long rakish passes and it was no real surprise when such a move saw Combe break down the left flank from a stretched Shelford defence. What was a surprise was the speed for a prop Nick Porter showed in crossing the line.

Frankie Neale showed great composure in slotting the conversion from near touch. So after eleven minutes Combe were leading by 7 points.

Combe continued in much the same frame but came up against a Shelford defence that was growing in confidence and seeming to deal with Combe's attack with ease and blunting them at each move however innovative it was.

Perhaps inevitably Tommy Gray finally found a gap to cross for the second try on 30 minutes.

With two tries and a 12 point lead it all seemed to be going in the right direction for Combe and with the possibility of a third try before the interval, especially as Shelford had posed no threat to now, everything looked rosy for the Combe camp!

Shelford established something of a beachhead from the restart and it was Combe's turn to show their defensive talents which they did with some aplomb but conceded a penalty in front of the posts

and Shelford's 3 points saw us to the interval.

The start of the second half saw Combe battling against a sound Shelford defence deep in their 22 but their forwards gave nothing away. They finally broke the deadlock with a ruck that travelled half the length of the pitch and at such a pace it shredded the Combe defence before they were able to regroup. If Combe had been able to come away from that situation with points it may have been a different story.

As it was it was Shelford's turn to lay siege and the forwards made few mistakes and the recycled ball spelt danger time after time to a stretched Combe defence and on 65 minutes stand-off Josh Simmons went for a partial gap, chipped over the top, gathered the bounce and crashed between the posts. His conversion was a formality to bring the home side within two points at 10—12.

In the first half Combe had been in control for most of the half and had reaped the rewards and looked untroubled but for most of the second they looked second best with the momentum definitely with Shelford and despite some notable efforts by individuals the odds were now heavy in favour of the home side.

Combe were awarded a penalty on 70 minutes wide on the left midway between the 10 and 22 and Frankie Neale was cool personified as he calmly slotted it between the posts to give Combe a bit of breathing space. But would it be enough?

Sadly no. Shelford soon re-established their customary second-half position of threatening the Combe line and on 75 minutes No. 8 Aki Lea crossed at the base of a scrum to bring the scores level.

Josh Simmons conversion was a little harder than his own but the two points put Shelford in the driving seat for the first time.

Combe's only redemption probably lay in a final penalty but Shelford were mindful to keep play away from any danger area which they did with some ease and with the huge digital clock showing just 40minutes 22seconds (despite several stoppages) a massive kick to touch from the base of a scrum heralded the final whistle.

Not one of Combe's better efforts but credit to Shelford who weathered a storm that threatened to become a gale and then ground out a worthy win, not for the first time in Combe's ten years of visiting this corner of East Anglia!

Only six games left and four away from home including Hertford so let's hope this game doesn't set a precedent!

Match Reporter: Mike Attewell@supposedtoberetired.com