Honours Even at Combe

What a tie! Cumnor versus Combe was one of the most enthralling and exciting fixtures we've seen this season. Both matches were incredibly even with the outcome of both clashes in doubt right up until the final whistle.

Match One
A strong Cumnor team started well with Will firing in an early effort from out on the left. Combe were quick to counter attack and Ben C showed all his strength and determination in the tackle. With Adam M pressing from midfleid and James E holding the ball up front, Cumnor seemed well set to take the lead. The best chance of the first-half fell to Fyn who somehow got his foot around the ball and volleyed Will's corner into the post.

Yet we weren't having it all our own way. Combe made some excellent breaks and their lively no.8 twisted, turned and tormented. Other teams would have fallen under his spell. But other teams don't have Rory! Time and again this season, Rory has been magnificent at the back. And behind Rory, there was Ed who grew and grew into his goalkeeping role making a series of early saves and commanding his area with real authority.

The game opened up even more in the second half with both teams feeling the pace. Will was causing problems running down the hill and hitting searing crosses into the box. Ben was showing wonderful touches in midfield and he and Adam started to control the tempo of the game. Adam surged forward, blistering through the Combe defence but hit his shot wide. Another chance fell to James but he couldn't quite get a killer pass into Will. There would be no breakthrough and as the ref blew his whistle the exhausted boys left the field to deserved cheers.

Match Two
As in previous weeks, the boys in match two played as a slightly tighter unit but it does help having Henry M bossing everyone about. He and Toby continued their impressive defensive partnership: Henry all energy and strength, Toby cool and ruthless in the tackle. In front of them, Ben Mc ran his heart out leading the startled Combe midfield a merry dance all across the field. Joe showed his neat collection of clever short passes and little touches. Binky seemed to relish being involved in the midfield battle rather than being left isolated up front. James S was a clever target man, showing wonderful awareness in tight spaces to play his teammates in. And in goal, covered in mud but loving every second, Ed.

Both teams had their chances and Combe even hit the post but Cumnor, driven on by Henry and Ben Mc were the slightly stronger team. Ben set out on one of his trademark runs and got a shot in but the ball was parried away by the keeper. Then, appearing from nowhere with all the coolness of an expert poacher, came Binky who calmly rolled the ball into the bottom corner. 1-0.

Cumnor didn't sit on their lead and moved confidently forward, knowing that Henry, Toby and Ed would be almost impossible to beat. On the one occasion when a Combe player did get the better of Henry, he was happy to try and rugby tackle him! Wrong day, Henry!

With Cumnor pressing, Joe played some lovely little passes through the midfield and the ball broke to James. With the goal open in front of him... and a glimpse of glory ahead, James just failed to connect. If he'd been a centimetre taller he would have bagged our deserved second.

Final whistle: 0-1 and another round of applause for a committed team performance.

Player of the Week: very close between Ben Mc and Ed but in the end, the coaches chose Will for his scintillating wing play.