Combe meet force with force

....... and gave the new league comers, and early league leaders a fright for their money. East Grinstead showed early on that they were organised, could boss the breakdown, they had a back row, and had some speed to spare, but after two scores early doors were kept honest thereafter by a keen and competitive Combe side, who always pressed the hosts into errors, penalties and yellow cards. Both sides conceded penalties, but especially East Grinstead, who allowed Combe’s Iain Gordon to slot five for fifteen points. Thank you.

Conditions looked good. Little wind, dry, a barrelled pitch along its length, and grassy. A good crowd in as well, offering encouragement to both teams, and advice to the referee in usual unequal measure.

Combe were slow out of the blocks. After the balls had been sorted, an early penalty for the hosts saw them in the Combe left corner - line out, drive, first try ( Richard Tredgett ), and conversion by out-half Scott Meakin (7-0). Combe had a drive, then a run from Ben Hough in reply, but East Grinstead turned over the attack, linked, and set off Scott Meakin to scamper in for another score. His conversion attempt failed. 12-0 up, fifteen minutes gone, their momentum. Looking ominous. But with penalties awarded, Combe made some ground, Ben Hough again making some , Hamish Barton also. Combe are close to the East Grinstead line but are kept at bay. Another penalty, and another. Combe are in the left corner close to the host’s line. First visit for the sinner’s enclosure. Iain Gordon strikes first points for Combe. From the re-start Combe’s No. 8 Thibaud Calohard and Trent Nattrass try and set Omar Dixon away. But it is another penalty for Combe. 12-6. It’s a long half, and coming into the close, East Grinstead have two more penalties. Only one shot from Scott Meakin goes over. Half time - 15-6.

Both sides fumbled the re-start, but the hosts established the first scoring opportunity with a penalty shot for Scott Meakin in front of the posts for 18-6. Combe countered after the re-start. Good ground gained, penalty Combe, Iain Gordon three points, 18-9. But all that hard work was given away, the kick-off went astray, Combe were caught in possession, penalty to East Grinstead front of posts, and the hosts are back to 21-9 ahead. Half an hour to go. Hold on. From an East Grinstead kick-out, Ben Hough fields, half-way line, run and pass right, to Trent Nattrass, to Omar Dixon. Forty yards to go but with speed, strength and wriggle, he is in at the corner. A salmon up the river to the spawning grounds, one might say. Try. Dead eye Iain Gordon adds the extras. 21-16. Just under half an hour left. Combe were now playing with brio and zest. Trent Nattrass, and Bryan Young both gave it a go. The hosts were strong in defence. They also worked close to the Combe line. Combe had a visitor to the enclosure, and from the ensuing scrum weight and numbers counted. No. 8 Max Turnwald scored a pushover try, converted by Scott Meakin.(28-16 ) Twenty minutes to go yet. East Grinstead might be rattled. They drop the kick-off, and Iain Gordon kicks the follow-up penalty, for 28-19. Approximately fifteen minutes on the second half clock. Nerve? Who will hold it ? East Grinstead, with a penalty come close up the touchline. Combe counter with a quick tap and run. More time for more penalties, both sides. Less than five to go, Combe’s Bryan Young, with all the vocal Combe support with him, is on a strong diagonal run which finishes inches short. Into the last minutes , more penalties for each side, more good and desperate defence from each. East Grinstead finish on the Combe line , but no further ahead. Final whistle. 28-22 to the home side. Whow, or hhhmm, ………let’s do it again.
Westcombe Park XV : T. Gray; O. Dixon, T. Nattrass, B. Hough, B. Young ; I. Gordon; T. Kavanagh, H. Barton, M. Poole, D. Watkins, J. Wright, M. Nimmo, D. Flashman, T. Calohard.
Sub.s : S. Davis, N. Davies, T. Clarke.

Match reporter : Bruce Mackenzie.

Next Saturday, Combe are at home, Goddington Dene, to Dorking. Kick-off 3.00pm. Another tough one, but this is our league.