Combe dig deep for impressive win

Combe had to dig deep, but did so and came back from Lydney in the Forest of Dene with an excellent result. They had taken the few chances on offer to score, and an immense and disciplined defensive display in the second half saw them worthy winners 17-5. This keeps Combe’s goal of staying alive in this league alive, whilst hosts Lydney are creeping towards the drop zone. Their run of form going into this fixture was worse than Combe’s. Lydney had won at Goddington Dene earlier in the season with a sensational second half comeback, but remember Combe won at Regentsholm last season……..
It was dry, still, and cold. Very soft underfoot, and with a three o’clock kick off the game would be finishing under the lights in the evening gloom. Combe had good travelling support: Blazerati, a carful of old first-teamers, the v-p from the valleys, West country irregulars and OAP’s. If you were slow finishing your burgers and chips you would have missed the dynamic start. Combe had the ball and the first plays, but Lydney on the counter found plenty of room on the right to put winger Josh Hannam in for a try within two minutes. Tony Wicks’s conversion attempt was pushed wide. 5-0 to the hosts much to the delight of their large and vociferous crowd. Combe were quick to recover. George Blomfield made ground, Ryan Fuller chipped for the corner, penalty to Combe, line out, drive, Hamish Barton and Matt Brierley involved, and finally Dale Bellinger was over near the left corner. Luke Giles, continuing his rich vein of form, coolly slots the extras. 5-7. Five minutes gone. Combe are back in the Lydney half, and with a penalty award out on the right Giles once again puts it through. 5-10. Lydney try to get back in the game, but are well tackled by Combe, or lose at the breakdown, or simply, are making errors. Ben Hough was finding half gaps, then Jamie Stevenson had a run out of defence, linked with Luke Giles and Graham Purdy. Kieren Leeper chases a kick ahead, but it goes to touch, and after a disagreement between the opposite players, two yellow cards are shown: different crimes, same punishment. With the penalty award, again Combe take the line out and drive option, out on the right and this time it is Jon West going over, and of course Giles gets the conversion .5-17 to Combe, twenty-five minutes gone. For the rest of the half there are precious few more opportunities. Lydney begin to pinch some line out ball, the set piece is still keenly contested, and both defences are working overtime.
Queues at the tea bar at half time. It is getting colder. Combe begin at a canter, running the ball and trying to take the game to the opposition. The front row link and interpass, Jon West runs off the back of a scrum. Lydney are still content to concede penalties. From one and the following line out, right side, Combe spin the ball left but the move breaks down. Lydney have a relieving kick out their half. For the next thirty minutes they have the position, and much of the possession, and so pound the Combe line. Their forwards take the direct route, the backs try more subtlety, but either way they fail to get through. Stopped before the line, five yards, four feet, even inches. Combe hold them out with sound and disciplined defence. No penalties, no yellow cards. Team effort. Even when Lydney throw on fresh legs and substitutes, they fail to break down the dogged Combe defence. Perhaps in their frustration Lydney are forcing it. They make errors, poor decisions, they concede penalties or free kicks. Whichever way, it all adds to the relief of Combe’s besieged line. Indeed as the game draws to a close, and the floodlights come on, it is Combe on the attack in the Lydney half, after an interception and slick passing to release Leeper to the corner.
More gloom for the hosts, bright lights for Combe and a warm glow to see them home - better than burgers and chips.

Combe XV : Fuller; Leeper, Davies, Hough, Purdy; Giles, Stevenson; McKinnell, Brierley, Bellinger, Clarke, Wright, Barton, Blomfield, West.
Sub.s : Conlon, Deaville, Tidd, Lewis, Edwards.

Next Saturday is a rest day unless you are involved with Six Nations or Under-20’s internationals the night before. Then it’s back to league rugby at Goddington Dene on 11th February, when Combe face the students from Hartpury College. Kick off 2.00 pm.

Match reporter : Bruce Mackenzie.