Whilst the faint-hearted and fair-weather fans stayed inside to watch television, the fool-hardy and committed braved the atrocious conditions and were rewarded with a confident six-try display from what is becoming a settled Combe side. Combe are also building a resolute defence and again returned a clean sheet for a final score of 43-0. That being said, ‘CS Rugby 1863‘, brought little to the party - they had little ball to play with, could not get it beyond the half-backs, and their left winger who could have been dangerous had just a couple of runs with the ball, only to be quickly scythed down and denied any room to roam.
The rain was relentless, there was a bitter wind, and the skies were dark and gloomy. If more spectators had ventured out the stand would have been full. Slippery wet conditions meant that the side holding onto their skills would win through. Combe did so and once settled Luke Giles opened the scoring with a penalty after six minutes. Five minutes later Charlie Edwards was over from short range for the first try of the day after Combe had pounded the CS line. CS had one pot at goal but the attempt scooted low and wide. Toby May went close but was beaten to the touch down after a chip ahead. Then on twenty minutes Gus Barton was over for his try from a straightforward No. 8 pick up from a scrum 10 metres out. Luke Giles was successful with his second conversion. 17-0 to Combe. Combe defended well against a CS attack and penalty, bundling their line-out take and attempted drive into touch. Combe had the audacity to throw short and through Luke Bellinger and skipper Hamish Barton they made fifty metres up to the half way line to relieve the pressure. As the half came to a close there was time for Dale Bellinger to drive over from a line-out and maul close to the visitors’ line. Luke Giles put his kick over and Combe could retreat to the changing room for shelter 24-0 up at half-time.
There was no let up to the weather at the start of the second period. Combe soon had the scoreboard ticking again when Dale Bellinger strode in out on the right after Combe had won a turnover and with it quick ball. Luke Giles missed his conversion attempt, but bonus point for Combe. As the conditions grew more miserable a bit of niggle crept in. Yellow cards were issued, one for each side. Substitutes arrived and went, and the game lost a little shape. Some minds perhaps were on the final whistle, but not Combes’. With still with fifteen minutes to go there was time for Ben Hough to go over for a try after a set up from Graeme Carson and Hamish Barton, and shortly after Charlie Edwards was over for his second, again from short range when the CS defence failed to clear their lines. With Luke Giles putting both conversions over the scoreboard now read 43-0. Into the last five minutes Combe mounted one more attack, but were kept out, and there was a flourish of more yellow cards after a flurry of fists. Combe could be content with their afternoon’s work in trying and testing conditions. CS Rugby did not have a good day at the office.
Next week is a rest week. Probably just as well as the following week is the expedition to Guernsey forward to which all fans have been looking for some time.
Westcombe Park XV : T. May; T. Nattrass, B. Hough, T. Child, N. Davies; L. Giles, C. Edwards,; R. Conlon, G. Carson, D. Bellinger, T. Clarke, N. Coles, L. Bellinger, H. Barton, A. Barton.
Sub.s : J. Snape, C. Lewis, M. Foulds.

Match reporter : Bruce Mackenzie.