Combe rolled over by Stones

......including a large contingent from The Mote, interested to the final whistle. It was a cold day though, with a biting wind from the clubhouse end.

Combe raced out of the starting blocks, kicking off and immediately putting the visitors under pressure as they tried to clear their lines. Ben Hennah charged down two clearance attempts, gathered both, and was over by the posts all within the opening minute. Iain Gordon would add the conversion and Combe were off to a cracking start. Maidstone soon made their reply, when scrum-half Nick Childs pinched the ball off a scrum to score by the posts and give himself an easy conversion. 7-7. Game on. Maidstone scuffed a penalty kick at goal. They were defending and also asking Combe questions with ball in hand. With a quick tap penalty Combe’s Gideon Roux ran, and with Lee Covington in support they were up to the opposition 22. Quick line-out ball, spread left and wide, Kieran Leeper had space to cross for Combe’s second score. No conversion. Stones replied also with a quick tap at the other end, and Eddie Cranston was over, his try converted by Nick Childs. Combe upped the pace before the interval, but each dart, run or drive was held out. The solitary reward was a penalty opportunity for Iain Gordon, gratefully accepted. 15-14 to Combe at the turn round. Just ahead, but only because Maidstone had hit the upright with another penalty pot at goal.

At the re-start it seemed the wind had picked up a little. If so it would benefit Combe, perhaps, but they were unable to pin the visitors back. Indeed, Maidstone were content to absorb and counter. They put together a stream of possession, and with plenty of pressure on the Combe defence, eventually centre Jamie Perigo was in the clear to score to the left of the posts. Nick Childs added the conversion. 15-21. Half an hour to go, both sides still in it. Combe made some changes, they worked their way to the opposition 22, and there they camped for a while. They enjoyed penalty advantages, and had the scrums going their way. They looked like they may be over, but no score, no points. The visitors had weathered the storm, seen off the threat. It might be the turning point. Indeed, into the last ten minutes, and once more on the counter, Nick Childs again broke clear to score by the posts, and convert himself, and with the crowd barely settled, whether in jubilation or consternation, left winger Ollie Newton raced away to score in the left corner. 15-33. Combe were stunned. Not a lot of time left to turn around the result. But they did manage a score in the left corner when Gideon Roux plunged over from a short penalty to retrieve some respectability. Maidstone had rolled over Combe, showing Cup games can be won not always by making chances, but essentially, by taking chances.

Next week the league programme resumes. Combe visit Barnes, which more often than not is a close encounter, and so worth following. Otherwise we have to wait until 7th Feb when Gravesend visit Goddington Dene. That will be a busy weekend with other attractions or distractions, Razors and a long list of Gents, or Paris, to mention but two.

Westcombe Park XV: M. Poole, T. Lang, R. Conlon, J. Wright, C. Lewis, H. Barton, L. Covington, M. Arvier; G. Roux, I. Gordon; J. Penny, B. Hennah, T. Nattrass, J. Birch; K. Leeper.

Subs: J. Moore, R. Hackett, J. Robertson, H. Holland.

Match reporter: Bruce Mackenzie.