..... and probably keen to return to their business as usual, which for them means bonus point victories. But in the opening exchanges it was Combe asking the questions , with the home side slow to settle. Blue skies and sunshine at last, but the months rain had left its legacy - soft going under foot.

Combe had the advantage of the slight slope at the start. It was important to get some scores on the board, and from the kick-off Combe set up in the home 22. A second penalty award gave Iain Gordon his first chance at goal from the right hand side. Over. From the re-start Dorking pressed into the Combe half. A tap tackle by the defenders saved the day, and a penalty with a relieving kick got Combe away from danger. Dorking in possession were prone to mistakes, Combe would try to take advantage. Another penalty for Combe on the Dorking 10 yard line towards the centre. By now opposition sides should know not to give away kickable penalties within the range of Iain Gordon’s boot. 0-6 to Combe , twenty minutes gone. Combe would need more on the board for the second half. Trent Nattrass had another run down the wing, Combe hacked on, Hamish Barton and Niki Davies made some ground but Dorking held firm. With the end of the half approaching Dorking’s full back was through the Combe defence to set up position for scrum half Will Crow to score by the posts. Full back Matt Noble added the extras. From the re-start with Dorking again in possession, from a slow build-up centre Ryan Jeffrey was down the left and through to the posts for another try and conversion. 14-6 to the home team with barely minutes of the half left. A speculative drop-goal attempt and a chip to the corner were Combe’s last chances of the half. Work to do in the second half.

At kick off there were handling errors by both sides. Combe put themselves under pressure and poor passing by Dorking spoiled an overlap and scoring opportunity. Combe worked a short line-out up the tram-lines with Thibaud Calohard and Hamish Barton combining. Into the Dorking 22 , another kickable penalty for Iain Gordon 14-9. Dorking stung into action and attack have plenty of possession but cannot make real headway. Combe are committed in defence and compete at the breakdown - but for how long? Dorking kick their way into the left corner. With a line-out and mini-series of scrums, they break the line for a forwards’ try , converted from the touchline by Matt Noble. 21-9, with twenty minutes to go. Dorking come back for more, chasing that bonus point, but their backs are still not quite the slick unit. Tom Gray picks up on another error on his ten yard line and starts off on the long run upfield with all the opposition behind him, only to be dragged down inches short of the try line. Dorking have defended , albeit at the cost of a yellow card, but Combe’s best chance has brought no reward. Into the last ten minutes Dorking keep out Combe’s drive from the line-out, they attack again but fumble in the centre. Into the last minutes winger Fraser Mosley is clear but brought down by Combe’s tap tackle. Dorking have a scrum on Combe’s line. They first try a pushover, which is held, the out-half has a go and is well tackled. It is only from the following ruck that Combe’s line is breached with a short range plunge over the line. The try is converted for 28-9, and that’s it. Dorking back to bonus point winning. Combe no reward for all their efforts.

Next week Combe are at home for only the fifth time since September. Old Elthamians visit. It is another tough one. Kick-off 2.00 pm. There is a supporters’ lunch beforehand ( see the web site for details).

Westcombe Park XV : A. Smith; T. Nattrass, B. Hough, N. Davies, T. Gray; I. Gordon, B. Faurie; T. Kavanagh, H. Barton, R. Conlon, T. Clarke, D. Watkins, G. Purdy, D. Kearsey, T. Calohard.
Sub.s : J. Snape, D. Flashman, B. Hennah.

Match reporter : Bruce Mackenzie.