Ultimately the scoreline might be what was expected but behind the stats there is a different story—Combe were very much in this game until the last few minutes, but that has been the story too often this season.
As always a side at the top end of the table playing a side locked at the very bottom came to Goddington Dene in a National League Two (S) game and found themselves struggling for much of it.
Henley started with a rush winning the ball from the start and not surrendering it until centre Alex Chessman crossed at the right corner after three minutes.
Combe's pressure produced a series of penalties in the first 24 minutes and Luke Giles, very competently, ensured they enjoyed a 9—5 lead. The one he missed hit the post and bounced back in play but Henley easily cleared their lines avoiding more damage.
Henley's fly-half James Comben closed the gap to a single point about the half-hour mark but the four-point gap was restored by Luke Giles with just three minutes of the half remaining and Combe look set to go to the break in the lead but Henley don't enjoy their status in the League for nothing and came storming back.
Again securing the ball from the restart Henley powered into Combe's 22 and gaining a yard or two at a time drove the ball to the line and secured a penalty. Opting for the scrum the ball was between feet but suddenly shot out at the side and was pounced on by the Combe defence but the referee was already on his way between the posts to signal a penalty try.
As the kick sailed over Combe turned their backs on the action and headed for the dressing room 12—15 down having been in front for most of the half.
Combe were not going to take the lead again because Henley started the second-half even quicker than the first with James Comben adding the points to his try for Henley to open a ten point gap.
Again Combe rallied and within a couple of minutes Dale Bellinger had rounded off a powerful forwards move for Combe's first try, wide on the right, and the difficult conversion was missed.
Henley had to be very patient for their next score against a keen Combe defence who obviously felt they could get something out of this game still, while not really looking threatening.
No. 8 Will Woodward got the touchdown when the Henley pack got Combe on the run close to their line and when James Comben added the points the resulting gap was the largest of the game, so far, 17—29 with 26 minutes still left.
The game flowed back and forth, largely between the 22's, for another twelve minutes with Henley always looking the most threatening but it was Combe that got the score with their No. 8 George Blomfield getting the touch-down and Luke Giles adding the conversion and surprisingly Combe were within five points again.
Henley were not in the mood to relent any further and moved the play deep into the Combe half and kept it there. Both sides seemed to accept the situation but Combe lost focus and Henley added 12 points in the last couple of minutes almost despite themselves. James Comben got his second and added the points for half of his sides total and substitute centre Dan Wells got Henley's sixth try in the last minute.
Henley couldn't have got more out of this game despite living on the edge for most of it while Combe had an empty locker again and if the inevitable happens at the end of the season, will look back at the heroic failures against the better sides as being the story of the season and this was certainly one of them.

COMBE XV. Dan Toms; Graham Purdy, Ben Hough, Nikki Davies (Pat Moore 73m.), Ryan Fuller; Luke Giles, Charles Edwards; Ben McKinnell, Matt Brierley, Dale Bellinger (Marlon Rainford 66m.); Tom Clarke, Jon Wright (Mark Deaville 66m.); Hamish Barton, James Lindfield, George Blomfield.

Match Reporter: Mike Attewell.