In the end Combe were well beaten by Barnes, fellow league strugglers, in this basement battle where a win for either side would keep slim survival hopes alive, and a bonus point would be extra handy. It was Barnes who kept their shape and focus to the finish, and also their drive for that extra point. The conditions were good, some bright sunshine, a little wind across the pitch into the stand, and firm underfoot. Not a large crowd though. The scoreboard was kept busy.
Barnes started brightly, and soon had a penalty kick in front of the posts which they duly slotted, Joshua Coles kicking his first points of the day. But with ten minutes gone Ryan Fuller had replied twice for Combe to take the lead 6-3. Combe were trying to keep the ball in hand and alive. Hamish Barton, James Lindfield, and Charlie Edwards had all made good breaks. But when Barnes countered, desperate defence by Combe brought a yellow card and with the man advantage Barnes were over for their first try from a line out drive, Ciaran Smyth the scorer (6-8). Coles missed the conversion, but shortly afterwards was successful with another penalty for 6-11 to the visitors. Combe fought back, made ground into the Barnes 22. Quick ball through hands, Anthony Braithwaite to Jon West, to Ben Hough on a straightened run to the posts brought the scores level but with Ryan Fuller converting Combe had crept into the lead, ten minutes to half time. Undaunted Barnes came back with another kicked penalty and also found time to squeeze in at the corner for a try by David Riley, after a run down the right hand touch line, Combe having put themselves under pressure from a slow clearance. 13-19 at the interval to the visitors.
The second half would also see the lead change hands several times. Combe began briskly, they stole a lineout, Hamish Barton won a turnover, Braithwaite chipped ahead. From the resultant penalty and with the man advantage Combe also used the lineout and drive to good effect. James Lindfield looked to have come close by the posts, but with the scrum that followed, and a drive on it was No. 8 Jon West with the pick up and dive for the line. His try was converted by Fuller for Combe to edge into the lead 20-19. This was short-lived, as Barnes struck another penalty through Coles for 20-23. Both defences were looking secure, neither side could find that cutting edge, or spread it wide. Combe were almost ahead at scrum time, and were grateful for a penalty opportunity to restore the lead. Fuller again obliging.23-22. But it was a narrow lead, and without threatening the Barnes line, and with twenty minutes still to go, it was never going to be enough. Indeed it was Barnes who upped the tempo. They set up position in the Combe 22, and with a forwards drive James Remfry reached out to score, which Coles converted.( 23-29 ). Combe saw a penalty attempt go wide and with it their last chance to score. Barnes sniffed the prospect of a bonus point, and with five minutes to go and Combe a man short they worked John Chance over for a try in the corner, which went unconverted. Final score 23-34.
Next week Combe travel to Hertford. The next home game is 24th March against Taunton, preceded by a Supporters Lunch - see the web site for details.

Combe XV : Fuller; Purdy, Davies, Hough, Leeper; Braithwaite, Edwards; McKinnell, Barton, Bellinger, Clarke, Coles, Blomfield, Lindfield, West.
Subs. : Conlon, Brierley, Watkins, Simpson, McDonough.

Match Reporter : Bruce Mackenzie.