With the home team in an existential struggle, it was no surprise at the sheer level of fight that CS Stags displayed in this match. They are one of the founder members of the Rugby Union, attending the inaugural meeting in 1871, a meeting which illustrious names such as Wasps and Saracens did not attend. This season has been a sore trial for the club who are currently lodging an appeal to remain in a senior league and thus remain viable.

On the field the Stags showed a high degree of fight and vigour fuelled by what they perceive is harsh treatment. Despite being pummeled up front they made sure that this was, in the words of Wellington about Waterloo, a close-run thing. With Stags securing a losing bonus point and pushing Combe to the end this result will give them heart for their appeal.

Stags took an early lead on 3 minutes when Combe infringed, and the ensuing penalty was successfully kicked. It only took Westcombe Park a further 5 minutes to open their account. Winger Josh Penney, on his return from a long-term injury, scored out wide when a dominant scrum provided good ball for a thrust on the narrow side.

Despite Combe’s scrum being dominant, a constant theme of the match, it was not until 22 minutes that Combe added a further score when number 10 Matt Harrison spotted the lack of guards at a ruck, picked up and ran through the gap for a softish try. Jacob Buckley extended the lead to 3-12 with a successful conversion

Stags went down to 14 players shortly before the break and the visitors took full advantage through captain Nick Cook who dotted down for the score as Combes forwards shoved their opposite numbers back at a rate of knots. Buckley added the conversion. But Stags came right back at the visitors and, when a long line out went astray, the home side made the most of it with a try under the posts which was converted for 10-19 score line at half-time.

That Stags won the second half 3-0 is a further testament to their survival skills. Combe were left scoreless mainly due to a fierce defensive effort from Stags and, to a lesser extent, a series of injuries which saw the visitors with no less than 3 props and 2 hookers on the field and a flanker covering on the wing.

The sole 3 points came for Stags just after the hour mark when Combe were caught offside, and the penalty was kicked. Combe were frustrated in the closing stages when they couldn’t take advantage of a series of scrums and scrum penalties, but nobody could grudge the losing bonus points for Stags.

No 1st XV match this Saturday but Combe welcome Havant to Goddington Dene on 26 March with the home side seeking retribution for the last ditch defeat on the South Coast earlier in the season.