Combe come a cropper at Clifton

Combe were caught short on their visit to Clifton. The home team rolled in four tries for a bonus point win, but it was not entirely a one-sided contest. Combe were complicit in their own downfall: again some weak first-up tackling and lapses in concentration that were swiftly and ruthlessly punished to telling effect; and a second half comeback from the visitors that was hinted at but never allowed to materialise.

The small crowd, including some Blazerati and extra OAP’s in support for Combe may not have been sure what to expect. Clifton had not really got their season going, with only four wins so far. Combe, with their three wins were making life difficult for themselves at the bottom of the table, added to which they were now fielding ten changes since last week, including positional ones, and there were two debutants in the ranks as well. The half-backs were new, as were the centre combinations. Some initial misunderstanding between them all might be forgiven, but they would have to settle quickly if they were to stay in the game. There was a wind blowing towards the Station Road end, the pitch was green and a little soft on top. It was dry. Combe might well have been content to play into the elements in the first half. There was sparring from both sides in the opening exchanges - kicking for position, kicking back; fielding, miss-fielding. Then with ten minutes gone Clifton had a penalty, which they kicked to the left corner. From the line out they drove to the line. Combe held them out two, three, four, five times, but after this pounding of the line it gave and it was scrum-half Matthew Britton who went over the top and middle of the ruck for the first points. His try was converted by Gareth Knox. 7-0 to Clifton. The kicking contest continued, and for some time Combe were pinned back, but from a penalty they did put the ball through hands, and began to put some phases together. Kieran Leeper had a run, and with the home side under pressure in defence they conceded a penalty in kicking range for Joe Simpson to put over the first points for Combe. 7-3. Fifteen minutes to go to half time. Could Combe hold out? A quickly taken free kick for Clifton soon answered that. They made ground up the middle and taking the Combe defence by surprise William Pomphrey was in for a try out on the right that Knox could not convert.12-3. Combe pressed the Clifton line at the end of the half, with Dale Bellinger going close, and chip-throughs for Leeper and Chris O’Neill but here was no way past a resolute home defence. Still 12-3 at half time with the wind with them to come, it was not insurmountable……..

Indeed the second half started at a much brisker tempo. Combe straight away began to build some momentum, and string some possession together. But after six minutes Clifton pounced on mistakes by the half backs, and against the run of play Sam Smee was in for a try at the posts. Knox added the extras. 19-3 to Clifton, and for all their efforts instead of having something to show, Combe were now slipping behind. Clifton were winning the breakdown, and making some turnovers, and were still enjoying their special advantage at the put-in. Combe were also guilty of losing their own line out ball ‘not-straight’. The wind was now veering, and fickle. But back to the cliff face, and more attacks. The home defence held firm but only by conceding a penalty and inevitable yellow card. Combe did manage to exploit this advantage when from a line out drive John West stormed over. The conversion failed, but with twenty minutes still to go there remained some hope for further improvement to the score. Charlie Edwards was through, and his pass to Hamish Barton almost went to hand, O’Neill almost held on for an incisive break, Dale Bellinger made big strides up the middle and linked well. Clifton’s defence was working overtime, but as importantly it was still secure. With five minutes to go, again perhaps against the run of play, with a ball from their scrum midfield, half way, centre Jack Gadd ran through tackles to off load to Knox for a try out on the left. The conversion attempt hit the posts. Score 24-8, and a bonus point to Clifton.. Only four minutes left. Time for Combe to finish with a flourish, but not to change the scoreboard or influence the final result. To add to their woes, both half backs were by now off injured, and with substitutes on, Combe were playing with still more unfamiliar combinations. Combe had paid the price - they may have made Clifton, the victors, work hard in defence, but not so in attack where life just once or twice, was perhaps, a little easier for the home side.

Next Saturday 3 rd Dec. Combe are home at Goddington Dene to Cornish visitors Redruth, which promises to be a big challenge, as Redruth are rising to the top end of the table. The following week 10 th Dec. is also a home game - the last before Christmas - against Shelford. A Supporters’ lunch precedes the Redruth game. Details are on the Combe web site, if you do not already have your booked place. Be quick. Time is running out to do so. So are spaces.

Combe XV : O’Neill; Kayton, Fuller, Morre, Leeper; Simpson, Edwards; McKinnell, Fry, Bellinger, Clarke, Wright, Barton, Blomfield, West.
Sub.s : Conlon, Deaville, Catlin, Maybank, Williams.

Match reporter : Bruce Mackenzie.