Combe pushed all the way in eight try thriller.

Combe may have enjoyed a rare win, but they were pushed all the way by a competitive Richmond side who for their efforts would not be leaving Goddington Dene empty handed. This was a must win game for each side: for Combe to stop the downward slide, and for Richmond to return to early season form and climb out what is becoming a very congested bottom half of the league table. The game had its thrills and spills and the result remained in doubt right up to the final whistle. Daniel Harvey was making his debut at out-half for Combe, and Lindfield was playing his last game. Both had parts to play. It was a gloomy start, the pitch muddy on top and from the outset it looked like Combe might struggle at the set pieces. But after six minutes Combe from a quick penalty spun the ball left for du Toit to give a scoring pass to Lewis, who had to stretch and stretch again for the first try. It went unconverted. 5-0. Soon after, in another visit to the Richmond half, from a back row pick up, a little under pressure, Lindfield found himself in space with a relatively free run to near the posts. 10-0, and with a successful conversion by Audis, 12-0. Richmond were stung into action, and after a penalty gave them a good position on Combe’s 22, the ball was fed quickly and slickly down the line for right wing Moore to score in the corner. The conversion was unsuccessful. 12-5. Richmond ran again this time on the left, and a missed tackle saw the winger heading for another score only to be brought back for a foot in touch. Let off for Combe. Richmond were still pressing and on twenty minutes they gathered from a lineout and found a gap for loose head Friel to score an unconverted try. 12-10. Four tries already, and an hour to go.
With the end of the first half in sight Combe were driving for the line, and with quick ball debutant Harvey froze the Richmond defence leaving Davies a clear straight run to score by the posts, which Audis converted. 19-10. The half closed with Combe close to the Richmond line again, and a yellow card for Friel.
If anyone had been looking up away from the action, they would have seen the snow clouds building, but the second half started brightly for Combe when in the second minute du Toit gathered a loose ball from 45 metres out, saw a clear path to the try line and went for it. Audis converted. 26-10. The Combe support were well aware of the significance of this score: the first 4 try bonus point of the season. Had Combe peaked too soon? Remember Cardiff - that was only last week. Richmond were not in the mood for rolling over. Lindfield was yellow carded at the break down in front of the posts. Penalty kicked. 26-13. A cover tackle in the corner by Booiman kept Richmond out, but from the lineout, which went long and loose hooker Rosa collected and scored. The conversion failed. 26-18. Thirty minutes to go. Combe missed a midfield penalty kick at goal which could have helped steady the nerves, especially as Richmond were dominating possession and position. Time for substitutes and fresh legs. Poor passing let down another attack by Richmond. An attempted interception by Kavanagh, and a covering tackle by Green also denied them. It was now snowing hard. On thirty minutes Richmond made their break through, as they worked Hart over near the corner. The try was converted. 26-25. Close. Yet for the last ten tense minutes of the game Combe survived constant pressure, and they held their shape and discipline through to the end. Combe may have emerged with the win but there were bonus points for Richmond too. In the warmth of the clubhouse there were smiles back on the faces of players and supporters alike.

Combe XV: du Toit; Lewis, Davies, Booiman, Maybank; Harvey, Audis; Green, Brooks, Kavanagh, Chance, Cooke, Inches, Lindfield, Hayman. Subs used: Purdy, Thorpe, Sole.

Next week away to Lydney, and next home game Saturday 6 th March versus Barking.

Bruce Mackenzie