Even the most optimistic Stags’ supporter had not really seen this one coming : CS had suffered two consecutive thumping home defeats and injuries on the one hand and overseas experience absenteeism on the other appeared to have left a few potential fault lines. Those selected clearly had other ideas and indeed coach, Gareth Jordan had been exceptionally pleased with Thursday’s training.

Every now and then Scott Hadden can lay on a virtuoso performance and restored to fly-half he chose this bright and sunny spring afternoon at Goddington Dene to do just that, running up a personal total of 27 points in the process.

A shocking early penalty miss by Combe hinted that this might be an unusual day and when Hadden promptly slotted one himself and then the Stags drove over from a line-out, James Porter coming up with the ball, to take a 0-8 lead, there were clear signs that the Stags were up for what was an important contest between these two sides both hovering just above, but still uncomfortably close, to the National 3 London & South East relegation zone.

Combe were soon back on level terms and CS’s line-out was evidently still something of a problem area. Another Hadden penalty on the stroke of half time, however, gave the Stags the lead again : 8-11.

The second half saw a points avalanche : first a try from Hadden following a quick line-out, then a Combe score shrouded in mystery and awarded after a prolonged pow-wow between at least two of the wired up team of three who seemed to be consulting about other issues, and then a further Hadden five pointer, converted by him, and all of a sudden it was 25-13 and no one could say that the Stags were not looking the sharper team and making a pretty good job of cancelling out any imbalance in physique up front.

It was a day for the race horse and not the shire horse and although Combe were able to reduce the deficit to 25-18 Hadden could now do no wrong and was conducting as well as playing lead violin.

A James Houstoun score next was cancelled out by a fourth one for Combe so both teams had now notched up a try bonus point.

At 32-23 Combe still sensed there might be something more in this game for them but to a man the Stags were tackling anything that moved. Four tries conceded might suggest defensive frailties but there were probably less than ten missed tackles by the Stags all afternoon and though this was strength sapping it was Combe who at the end looked out on their feet. Scottie was still dancing though and his final waltz through for his hat-trick was no more than he and CS deserved. This had been an unexpected and emphatic win, joyfully received by the CS players and their ecstatic supporters.

CS Rugby 1663 scorers:

Tries:

Porter
Hadden (3)
Houstoun

Cons :

Hadden (3)

Pens:

Hadden (2)