Staines are not having a happy season : their squad is depleted, and what remains is injury-hit. They were unable to make a challenge let alone present a banana skin on which Combe might slip. Combe still had to keep on top of their form and make the right decisions, but their mean defence kept a clean sheet, and forwards and backs shared the scoring more or less equally. As cricketers might say ‘ fill your boots’.
It looked ominous for the visitors from the outset. In the opening minutes Ryan Fuller went close, then after a break by Toby May, Niki Davies was clear to the line out wide on the left for the first try. Luke Giles conversion attempt was close but not over. Combe scored again soon after in the right corner, with Giles adding the extras. 12-0 after ten minutes. Staines could not win any line out ball - Tom Clarke saw to that - nor could they make any headway with ball in hand. Combe were making huge strides from line out ball, and Toby May, with support when needed was confident to be running the ball back at the opposition. From a lineout, a glancing off-load from Dale Bellinger set up skipper Hamish Barton for the next score by the posts, a stroke-over for Luke Giles. Nick Coles was next over, this time in the left corner, after a series of darts and drives. Bonus point, and another conversion for Luke Giles. On the stroke of half-time Combe were over again, only for Toby May to be called back for a previous infringement. Still 26-0 up at the break, and with the chill breeze at their backs for the second half, Combe were comfortable.
After the interval, for a while Staines kept Combe out, though Combe had begun with some mistakes of their own. But normal service was resumed with ten minutes gone, with Niki Davies making a run from half-way, and backing himself to make the try line. Conversion over. 33-0. Trent Nattrass made a good break. He was brought up short, but still able to off-load to Toby May up in support. The conversion attempt shaved the wrong side of the upright. 38-0. With half an hour still on the clock this was going to be a long day for the visitors. Trent Nattrass went on another break, this time down the touchline and put in Ryan Fuller who rounded to the posts, just in case Luke Giles needed an easier conversion attempt. It went over. 45-0. This burst of scoring in such a short space of time stunned Staines and their spirits dropped. It looked like Chris Lewis had scored following up a chip ahead, but he was called back. He did go over soon afterwards. Geoff Marshall was next on the score sheet, from a lineout drive. Luke Giles was not missing his conversions. (59-0). And in the closing minutes there was time for Ryan Fuller in a break to the right corner, to return the compliment and give Trent Nattrass a scoring inside pass. Luke Giles slotted his last kick of the day. 66-0.
Match day sponsors, that fine body of pulchritude ‘The Wags‘, chose their man of the match ( Luke Bellinger) and catch of the match, ( Chris Lewis ) and prepared themselves for a perpotation long into the night.
In two back to back home games Combe had secured ten league points albeit against the league’s bottom sides. Next Sunday is the Kent Cup clash at home against rivals Canterbury, and the following week Combe visit high riding Dorking who will present a more daunting prospect and a sterner test. And in the meanwhile, spare a thought for Staines who may have a long, unenjoyable season to endure.

Westcombe Park XV : T. May; R. Fuller, B. Hough, T. Nattrass, N. Davies; L. Giles, C. Edwards; R. Conlon, G. Carson, D. Bellinger, T. Clarke, N. Coles, L. Bellinger, H. Barton, G. Marshall.
Sub.s : J. Snape, C. Lewis, J. Livett.

Match reporter : Bruce Mackenzie.