Combe take a bashing at Basingstoke

The conditions suggested it might be a game of two halves, given the strong wind down the slight slope, but as it transpired the home side mastered the elements better especially in the second half and ran out bonus point winners. Ironically both teams had had a similar tough start to the league programme, playing without success the top sides, both were at the wrong end of the league table, and both were looking to get their season properly underway. On paper then it should perhaps have been a closer contest.

A strong wind was blowing diagonally, but effectively down the pitch and Combe were defending in the first half. Basingstoke got off to a flying start sending left wing Jobi Kochanowski in at the corner, his try converted by out-half Adam Davies, who two minutes later added a penalty. 10-0 up after five minutes. Combe were making little headway, and conceded another penalty for Adam Davies to put over. 13-0. With quarter of an hour gone Combe eventually worked their way into the opposition half and 22, but with wind assistance Basingstoke could easily clear their lines. Combe held on for a while, and seemed to steady the ship. Combe’s cover kept out a Basingstoke run down the wing, but the hosts continued to press. Into the last ten minutes of the half a couple of quick tap penalties saw first No. 8 Matthew Horne held up over the line, then second ,and from second phase Sam Morton over for a try which again Adam Davies converted. 20-0 to the home side. With time running out to take advantage of the elements, Basingstoke’s next penalty choice was the lineout and drive option, but this was pinched by Combe. However, there was still time for yet another penalty to Basingstoke, and with Davies in good kicking form they went for the points, to end the half 23-0 in front. Optimists in the travelling support might have thought this would not be an insuperable score to turnover at the change round. Realists would consider that first Combe would have to play with more of the ball.

At the restart Combe did all the right things : possession, position, pressure, but with ten minutes gone had failed to score. Basingstoke’s defence held firm. At last Iain Gordon had a long range penalty shot, in off the upright as it swayed in the wind, to get Combe on the scoreboard, but by this time the hosts were playing in the Combe half, and were testing Combe’s defence again. The pressure told. Combe were issued with a second yellow card. Basingstoke attacked down the right, and with a fortuitous rebound No. 8 Matthew Horne collected and was over. No conversion from Davies this time.28-3. Basingstoke came back for more, pounding the Combe line, which eventually succumbed as scrum-half Jamie Fish plunged over for a bonus point try. Davies’ conversion attempt hit the post and for him bounced the wrong way. Still 33-3 ahead was a yawning gap going into the last quarter. Combe made one more push, running out of defence, and coming close up the right hand side. From this position Combe spun it left and along the line for Omar Dixon to score in the corner. No conversion. 33-8 . Into the last five minutes Basingstoke were still keen for more. Right winger Karl Buttle came close on more than one occasion and from his last effort the recycled ball aimed for the outsides was intercepted by Sam Morton who grabbed it and went over for his second, close enough to the posts to allow Davies an easy conversion attempt ,40-8. The final whistle could not come soon enough.

Next Saturday , 2nd November, Combe are at home to Guernsey, kick-off 2.00 pm.

Westcombe Park XV : A. Smith; T. Gray, B. Hough, G. Purdy, O. Dixon; I. Gordon, R. Skilton; T. Kavanagh, R. Conlon, M. Poole, J. Wright, T. Clarke, D. Flashman, H. Barton, T. Calohard.
Sub.s : M. Nimmo, T. Nattrass, J. O’Hehir.

Match reporter : Bruce Mackenzie.