Combe Down 7 – 33 Marlborough
The early phases of the game saw mistakes by both sides but the visitors were pressing and had spurned a couple of chances including a knock over the try line. After 16 mins the ball broke loose at a ruck and flanker Inosi Laqekoro quickly gathered the ball, he drew the defender and put an inside pass to James Farrell who ran in and made sure of the touch down. James Clancy converted the try.
Combe Down missed a penalty opportunity before Marlborough got back on the attack and started to put some good phases together. Farrell span a good pass out ot outside half Amori Nailago who dummied and stepped to beat the defensive line and run in and score. Another great try from Nailago this season and a player who will be missed by the club when he is posted to Cyprus. Clancy again converted.
As half time got near, Farrell again fed Nailago who this time made a blindside break and put in a good pass to Clancy who drew the full back and passed to wing Will Grant to score in the corner. Again Clancy converted. Half time score 21-0.
The second half saw the temperature drop. The home side were determined to get back into the game and apply some pressure. This was helped by Marlborough trying to run the ball from everywhere. One such occasion saw Clancy isolated at a ruck and when the ball was lost, Combe Down moved the ball quickly and their flanker broke down the blind side to score a converted try.
Coach Chris Budgen urged his men to show more discipline and execute at the right times. Marlborough tightened up their play and it was Combe Down who made a mistake in over throwing at a lineout Semisi Rasivo gathered the loose ball to make a charge up field. Farrell was in support and took the ball to score under the posts.
Clancy converted. Farrell completed his hat trick when he robbed the ball off his opposite number at a scrum to break from the half way and run half the pitch to score. Clancy missed the conversion for a 33-7 score line.
Another good win for Marlborough that was only marred by injuries to Josh Lynd (knee) and to Epeli Kotobalavu (eye) who had made a great debut performance.