Calne were really wound up for this Powergen junior vase 3rd round game against the travelling Somerset Premier team after it appeared that they showed no respect by turning up late and full of confidence as quoted by one of their players “it doesn’t matter if it kicks off late because it won’t be going into extra time”. He couldn’t have been more correct only not with the result they expected. Calne were a little shell shocked in the first ten minutes as the away side did start very strong, with good movement in the backs and a large strong pack, with them finding their way straight to the Calne 5 metre line, the home sides defence was tested early but they held out as Combe Down couldn’t convert pressure into points.

Calne then turned it up and turned the game around dominating just about every aspect of the game, the only problem area being the scrum, which could have been a lot worse if it were not for the front row of Ian Smart, Mick Dyer and Matt Arnold holding their own, even with losing probably 2-3 stone per man against their opposite numbers.

Within minutes Combe Down found themselves grounding the ball behind their own try line after some good tactical kicking from flyhalf Lewis Baker and good chasing from wingers Mike Robinson and Mike Smith. At the back of the difficult scrum in usual fashion the almost perfect partnership of No. 8 Alan Wicks and scrum half Andy Donegan dealt with the pressure allowing Donegan to sell a lovely dummy and score the try with what you could call a classic Matt Dawson little dart. Donegan also converted.

Calne did not let the pressure drop after this score, with Pete McGarry winning line outs and the usual round the field play from Daron “Beefcake” Thomas, Combe Down found themselves camped inside their own 22 metre. With the away side finding all this pressure frustrating they started giving away penalties for which they were punished thanks to the boot of Donegan converting 3 times taking the home side into half time 16-0 up.

The second half started pretty much like the first with a lot of pressure from the visitors, this time they managed to cross the line for a converted try. The away side started kicking down field more now that they had the breeze but full back Stuart Boswell dealt with the high balls well.

Then came Neil Young’s trademark try, from a five metre scrum on their own line, Calne had the put in, Wicks picked up from the back and passed to Young who kicked up field and chased, Combe Down ran the ball back to Calnes 22 and then came Young’s interception, leaving a mere 70+ metres for the veteran to sprint up the wing to score.

Combe Downs frustration really started to run the game for them by this time as now they were losing their discipline as well, but somehow managed to keep all their players on the field. With this working against them Calne now managed to dominate the scrums also, pushing the away side off their own ball. Calne applied a lot more pressure but unfortunately couldn’t convert into points. Combe Down did manage to cross the line again towards the end due to lack of concentration from the Calne side, the conversion was missed.

The rest of the game was played around the middle of the field until Calne kicked out for a well deserved win.

Tight head prop Matt Arnold and No.8 Alan Wicks shared the honors of Man of the Match.Calne now face Honiton in the fourth round which is the furthest they have been in the competition.

Final Score. Calne 21 Combe Down 12

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