This was the fixture postponed from December, which now became the ’must win’ for either side to maintain National 2 status. In the intervening months hosts Canterbury had had an appalling run of defeats on the trot, and Combe had begun to turn their season around with some good wins and precious bonus points. Pressure on both sides to perform especially in front of a large crowd, on a hot bright day and with a steady, firm breeze blowing down the slope. A good toss to win. Combe faced into the elements.
Canterbury started with intent, and for the first ten minutes Combe could not get out of their own half. But their defence was sound, and well organised; relieving kicks may not have made much ground, but were effective; and efforts to run back would keep Canterbury working. Canterbury won a penalty and went for the lineout and drive, but spilled the ball close to the line. At the other end Combe also drove close and Canterbury were relieved to kick away with the help of the wind. Canterbury tried a No. 8 pick up which again came close. Their next attack was stopped with a saving tackle by winger Kieren Leeper on his opposite number Michael Melford, who looked to be clear. After twenty-five minutes there was still no score and more importantly Canterbury were running out of time if they were to take advantage of the slope and the wind. They were quick to pounce on an error from a quick Combe line out, Melford was put into space midway, midfield, and was soon over for the opening score. His try went unconverted. With half an hour gone Combe conceded a penalty near their 10 metre line which was slotted over by William Hilton for a 8 -0 lead. Canterbury were on the attack again but were making it difficult for themselves as they were also error prone. With five minutes of the half left, Combe kicked out of defence, it was half charged down, but a kind bounce for Toby May allowed him to continue the momentum and put Kieren Leeper in from far out. Luke Giles added the extras for 8-7. Combe’s Tom Hockedy was yellow carded shortly before half time, but Combe and their supporters could turn round thinking Canterbury had not made enough of the elements, and their narrow lead was just that.
Indeed Combe began the second half at a furious pace. They won a turnover, Jordan Mitchell started off on a charge, Reid Bradford made ground, Hamish Barton almost got his pass away for a score, but they had being playing advantage after a penalty. This was duly put over by Luke Giles, and Combe were in the lead, 8-10. This was short-lived, as they fumbled the kick-off, and conceded a penalty, which Canterbury’s Hilton put over. 11-10 to the hosts. Five minutes of the half gone. Giles had a shot at goal from out on the left, which was pushed wide, and shortly after had a more straightforward chance which sailed clean through. 11-13. Giles was also beginning to find his range kicking from hand, putting it behind the wingers, with one in particular that rolled neatly to the corner. Canterbury’s defence were holding firm, and Combe could not unpick it. For ten minutes it was stalemate. Then Canterbury on the counter ran left with Juan Del Val, to Rob Keir, and finally to Peter Kelly who was worked over in the corner. The conversion by Hilton was over, so the hosts were now 18-13 in front, and the clock was ticking. Into the last ten minutes Canterbury were still holding out the Combe attacks, but only just. They lost skipper Chris Hinkins to a yellow card, and were conceding a string of penalties. The line out and drive were the favoured options. At last the Canterbury defence creaked and with quick ball and slick passing, Craig Chatley was put through a big gap for a try converted by Giles. 18-20, but still six or seven minutes on the clock. Combe had to hold out, but went one better, as from the re-start Giles chipped ahead and with a second kind bounce of the day, the ball sat up for Hockedy to collect and touch down. His try went unconverted. Combe were not in the clear yet. Canterbury launched Melford again but Combe were able to absorb this and other last flurries in the final minutes, and thereby denied Canterbury more than a bonus point, and a place above in the league table. Combe had been pushed all the way, right to the finish, and had risen to the challenge. A well deserved win to end the season.

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

Match reporter - Bruce Mackenzie.