....and the two scores were just enough for them to hold on for a win at the end. Poor weather all week and rain and drizzle on match day meant a slippery surface, a slippery ball, and inevitably mistakes from both sides.

The visitors had the better of the first half, perhaps more control, and better kicking for position. They were also a handful at the breakdown. Combe although keen to run and spread the ball wide, found it difficult to get into the visitors’ 22. Within five minutes TJ’s opened the scoring. On the Combe 22 a missed tackle on centre John MacMahon allowed him to make a break and off-load to his fellow centre Chris McNamara to score to the left of the posts. Luke Makris with his conversion attempt hit the right upright.(0-5). Combe did have a penalty shot at goal, but this fell short. Otherwise they were not really getting near. Too often Combe were running into traffic or staying too close to contact. Conditions were not improving, and the both sides were prone to handling errors. With the interval looming Combe won a lineout in their 22, but the clearance kick was charged down. TJ’s pack descended on the ball and tight-head Mike O’Sullivan claimed the try. Luke Makris had another conversion attempt, but this time hit the left upright. Still half time, 0-10 up, the visitors would have been happy. Combe could do with a half-time team talk.

From the re-start Combe were on the attack. Omar Dixon had his first proper run with the ball, but with Combe pinned in their own half, TJ’s had a penalty shot which Makris put over, this time without touching the posts or crossbar. 0-13, and a lot of work for Combe to do. They did get to the opposition 22, went right then spun it back left. Bryan Young was brought down in the left corner, inches short, but now with Combe pressing the visitors’ line, the pressure told. A penalty in front of the posts, which Iain Gordon stroked over, whilst a visitor was sent to the sinners enclosure for ten minutes. Combe on the score sheet.3-13. Almost straight from the re-start Combe ran from their own 22. Ben Hough to Trent Nattrass, up the right touchline, drew his man, weighted pass to Omar Dixon, halfway, and a kick ahead, which popped up kindly for him to collect and touch down. Iain Gordon added the conversion. 10-13. Combe back in the game and with thirty minutes or so to go. TJ’s threatened, but Combe cleared their lines. Again Trent Nattrass put Omar Dixon away only to be overhauled. With the clock ticking down, Ben Hough went close, Tom Gray also. TJ’s conceded the penalty, and with it another visitor for the bin. But the lineout was called not straight, TJ’s ran from the back of their scrum and in a trice play had gone from TJ’s right corner to Combe’s right corner, and with it perhaps Combe’s last chance to add to the score. Into the last five minutes, Combe again tried to launch man-of- the-match Omar Dixon, this time from their dead ball line. Up to the half way the visitors’ cover was closing in, but the pass to the support would not go to hand.

Conditions certainly had an influence on the game, with few chances for either side. Mistakes could prove costly. A losing bonus point for Combe at the time was little consolation.

Next week Combe visit league newcomers East Grinstead, who seem to have started their campaign on a mission. The next home game for Combe is 28 th September against Dorking. It’s another tough start to the season.

Westcombe Park XV: T. Gray; O. Dixon, G. Purdy, B. Hough, B. Young; I. Gordon, R. Skilton; T. Kavanagh, H. Barton, M. Poole, T. Clarke, J. Wright, L. Bellinger, M. Nimmo, D. Flashman.
Sub.s : J. Snape, D. Watkins, T. Nattrass.

Match reporter : Bruce Mackenzie.