Combe were crushed by a superior Old Albanians side who ran in five tries, converted three and cruised to a 12-31 win. As the form side riding near the top of the league table, the visitors displayed their strengths - running backs, good support play, sound defence. They may have been second best at scrum time but with patient and positive use of the ball they showed the way to a bonus point win in front of a thin Goddington Dene crowd.

It was a good day for late autumn rugby. Fairly firm underfoot, dry, no wind, and a bright sunshine that would stay almost to the end. The writing was on the wall from the start. Combe had the cheek to pinch an interception from the Albanians in the opening minutes and Chris O’ Neill was in under the posts. Luke Giles converted, 7-0 to Combe . Who was more shocked ? The late arrivals, Combe, or the confident visitors ? Perhaps the latter. When they won their ball they seemed unsettled, making mistakes with their passing, fumbling in the backs, stunned that they might be behind so early, so soon. Combe with some confidence kept trying for another score. A chip ahead, Kieran Leeper gathered, but the pass did not go to hand. It took the Albanians twenty minutes before they gathered some composure. They pinched some line outs, they won some turnover, and eventually scrum-half Jean-Baptiste Bruzulier was in at the right- hand corner for their first score in reply. The conversion was missed.(7-5). Five minutes later they added another when No. 8 Andrew Daish went over for the first of his three tries in the game. Luke Giles was injured in the process and off. The try was converted by full back Richard Gregg. 7-12 to the visitors. For the second quarter it seemed Combe never had the ball. With their line under siege Combe were caught offside, and the yellow card came out. Old Albanians drove over the line but were held up. Something would give, and it was centre Terry Adams finding the gap in the Combe defence to go over for a try, converted by Gregg ( 7-19). Combe held out until the end of the half, but it was beginning to look ominous.

Indeed the second half started with Combe still losing line out ball, but at scrum time they were in the ascendancy. Albanians were patient and after seven minutes Daish was in at the left corner and around to the posts for his second score, offering an easy conversion for Gregg ( 7-26 ). Combe contributed to their own demise with poor first up tackling which allowed Albanians to make extra ground, off load, and find their support. The game was drifting away from Combe but to their credit they did their best to come back. They won a series of scrums on the Albanians 22 and camped for some time close on their line but came away with no points added. It was Old Albanians who scored next with Daish in at the left corner again for an unconverted try, with still fifteen minutes to go. The visitors probably thought they had done enough. They had their bonus point, and were confident to defend anything Combe might throw at them. Combe did break down their defence with five minutes to go when George Blomfield went over in a drive from a line out on the right hand side. Anthony Braithwaite’s conversion attempt hit the post. Combe finished with a bit of a flurry but the Albanians held firm.

Combe are consigned to the bottom of the league. There were some familiar faces making return appearances, the downside being outbreaks of misunderstanding. But were also positives, not least the set piece. This fixture was always going to be a tough one, and next week is no let off as Combe are away to Clifton. The next home game at Goddington Dene is on Dec.3 rd against Redruth. Kick off 2.00 pm . This match is preceded by a supporter’s lunch. See the web site for details. Christmas is coming early to Combe.

Combe XV : May; Adeniya, O’Neill, Davies, Leeper; Giles, Stevenson; McKinnell, Barton, Mitchell, Bellinger, Wright, Wallis, Blomfield, West.
Sub.s : Conlon, Deaville, Clarke, Braithwaite, Edwards.

Match reporter : Bruce Mackenzie.