Sat 22 Feb 2025
Bassett Move Twelve Points Clear at the Top
Combe Down travelled down the M4 from Bath for this rearranged fixture.
They kicked off in bright sunshine in perfect rugby conditions. Bassett were in control but Combe Down were in fine defensive form. The pressure on the Bath men’s line was now becoming intense.
Veteran wing Mark Trowbridge broke the deadlock in the fifteenth minute going in in the corner for a try converted by fly-half Sam Baker. It took until the 30th minute for veteran prop Adam Rumble to add a further converted try.
As the half was coming to an end Baker sniped over and a final forward try late on added the fourth try for the bonus point. Bassett led 26-0.
Although Bassett were comfortable at the break Combe Down had played to this point in a way that belied their league position at second from bottom. The healthy crowd were then surprised to see a Combe Down try to reduce the deficit to 26-7.
However, this proved to be a false dawn for the Bath side. Bassett really upped their game showing why they are clear leaders of the table. Four tries were run in in quick succession the visitors tired. With ten minutes remaining Combe Down added a further consolation try. Bassett’s superior fitness then enabled them to run in two further tries before the final whistle.
Bassett’s second string are now remarkably twelve points clear of the Level 6 Southern Counties South league and must be firm favourites for promotion to Regional 2 Tribute Severn which is the league Bassett’s first team were promoted from last season!
