That may have been the only issue at stake, as both sides were fully committed in their quest to finish ahead. A pulsating match, played with pace and intensity right to the finish. There was a lot going on at Barn Elms : cricket was underway on the stroll to the pitch, Canada geese roamed the outfield showing a casual interest in proceedings, the roar of the crowds across the water at Craven Cottage perhaps outdid the travelling fans, the Gumbos were on a day trip, and there was again a Taylor in the first team. Warm sunshine capped the scene.

Within minutes of the start both sides had traded penalty goals. First Warren Gower for Barnes, then directly after Luke Giles for Combe. 3-3. Combe had a willingness to run. Gavin Taylor made a break, Ben Hough showed a clean pair of heels. With ten minutes gone Luke Giles added a second penalty. ( 3-6 ). Combe attacked again with Toby May and Dale Bellinger making strides. Barnes had a relieving penalty kick which was touched by Combe before going dead. The ensuing five metre scrum collapsed and a penalty try was immediately awarded to the home side, which Gower converted. 8-6 to Barnes, twenty minutes gone. Combe are on the wrong end of the referee’s whistle. Gower puts over another penalty for a 13-6 lead. It is very competitive at the breakdown, and decisions are going both ways. Luke Giles has another strike at goal to reduce the deficit to 13-9. Into the last minutes of first period Combe had worked their way into the Barnes half and 22. , and began a siege on the Barnes line. With the Barnes No. 8 in the bin Combe made the numbers count and eventually drove Dale Bellinger over for a try , converted by Luke Giles. 13-16. But there was still time for Combe to concede a kickable penalty for Gower to level the score at half-time 16-16. Not a lot separating the two sides.

At the turn round Combe had the breeze at their backs, and began with another penalty for Luke Giles 16-19. Barnes, now back to a full side turned on the pressure. Winning penalties they were inside the Combe 22 with a line-out, and with the follow-up drive for the line it was flanker Simon Givens who touched down. Gower converted, and Barnes were back in front 23-19. Almost straightaway, Luke Giles clawed three points back with another penalty slot. 23-22. Close, tense, no let-up. Barnes were back up the Combe end and with another penalty and line-out they opted for an unsuccessful drop-goal effort. Both defences seem watertight now. Into the last quarter Combe at last start using the elements, kicking for position deep into Barnes territory. Then in open play Harry Fry has the ball, forty yards out with not a lot ahead of him. He disregards his man on his left, chips through, and surprises himself, his team-mates, the opposition, the crowd, and the Gumbos by winning the race for the touchdown in the short dead ball area, to score in the corner. Luke Giles is probably still in shock as his conversion attempt drifts right of the upright. Still Combe are now back in front at 23-27. There is a good ten minutes still on the clock, and both sides are at full tilt. A Barnes penalty and line-out close to the Combe line is won back by skipper Hamish Barton. It is perhaps Barnes last chance. Combe finish close to the Barnes line, but the home defence holds out right to the end.

A cracking game to finish the season, and Combe are a worthy third place in the league. Just a few months off before we start all over again……….

Westcombe Park XV : T. May; N. Davies, B. Hough, T. Child, T. Nattrass; L. Giles, G. Taylor; D. Bellinger, H. Fry, G. Carson, T. Clarke, J. Wright, A. Barton, H. Barton, M. Foulds.
Sub.s : R. Conlon, C. Lewis, G. Purdy.

Match reporter : Bruce Mackenzie.