Seven days is a long time in rugby, and this week the Mid Canterbury Combined XV know it better than most.

A week after getting their first win for the season, courtesy of a last-minute penalty, the side took on the might of St Thomas’ on Saturday and they came off second best.

But while they will reflect on a 3-70 scoreline and ponder where it might have all gone wrong, they’ll also take solace in the fact that many aspects of their game were as good as they have been all season.

In fact, the first 17 minutes of the match saw some of the best defensive work the side has produced.

Despite STAC throwing everything at them, the side stood tall and handled the one-off runners well, and even sent some shivers down the spines of the collective STAC crowd when Charlie Brown’s boot put the visitors in front with a penalty.

That was to be it though, as STAC warmed into their work.

Combined put the pressure on too though.

And on a couple of occasions, went close.

At half-time, the hosts were in control of the match at 20-3, but the young Combined side weren’t without their chance if they could produce a solid second 40 minutes.

Instead, it was unfortunately the opposite.

After defending strongly in the opening half, Combined began to miss tackles and were all of a sudden outflanked as STAC scored 50 unanswered points to win the match easily.

The side also lost Christian Thompson for the remainder of the season through a head knock, but plans are already in place for the talented young player to join the management part of the team.

Ghost Touli was named player of the match for his outstanding work on defence throughout the game, while George Penjueli, who made his run-on debut, was impressive, and is in the right space to end the 2020 season on a high note.

This weekend the side heads down the road to Timaru to take on Timaru Boys High School, where the focus is very much on putting a big performance together on the paddock.

Exemption was sought to have the game shifted away from the day after the Ashburton College School Ball which will be held on Friday night, but there was no willingness to do so from the opposition unfortunately.

By Matt Markham © The Ashburton Guardian -  5 August 2020