There were concerns that the rain in the week might cause a cancellation, but with no rain in the night, a gentle drying breeze, a bit of sunshine, and good drainage meant the derby was on. Several of the visitors would have felt at ease with the pitch and conditions, at home with the surroundings, and familiar with the touchline encouragement and advice. A good crowd in. Game on.
Old Elthamians were quickly into their stride, showing why they are near the top of the table. An early drop goal by Tom White started the scoreboard rolling. Strong running and support play brought them two early tries in the left corner for James Lindfield and Renford Bennett, both converted by Tom White. Tom White added a penalty and with just quarter of an hour gone OE’s were 0-20 up. Combe had seen little of the ball, but they did steady, and began to string some possession together although making ground was difficult against a well organised defence. On the half hour Tom White knocked over another drop goal. At the turn OE’s went in 0-23 ahead and it all looked a bit ominous for the home side.
At the re-start OE’s picked up where they left off. A line-out and drive down the left broke up. Penalty to OE’s and Combe would now have to play one man short. From the ensuing line-out and drive James Lindfield again was over, and Tom White was not missing his kicks. 0-30. However ,Combe were not done for. A penalty kick for touch gave them a line-out in the left corner five yards out. Take and drive, and with a penalty advantage in hand it was skipper Hamish Barton peeling off the maul to plunge over. Iain Gordon‘s conversion attempt drifted right of the upright. Combe were on the scoreboard. And then history repeated itself. Another booming penalty kick for touch by Iain Gordon again found the left corner five yards out. Another Combe take and drive. OE’s had one man short. Hamish Barton was stopped on the line, but it was still Combe’s momentum, and enough for Tim Kavanagh to claim the score from the ensuing melee. Iain Gordon stroked over the conversion. 12-30. That’s a little more respectable. OE’s are another man short. Ben Hennah makes another break but is swallowed up by the cover. With less than ten minutes to go Tom Gray intercepts near his own 22. Just like last week , a long way to go, and no one ahead of him, but this time hurtling down the touchline, he makes the try line and slides in at the corner for Combe’s third. Iain Gordon’s conversion kick fades left. 17-30. For a fleeting moment Combe think a bonus point might be within reach. So too do OE’s as in one last effort they have the line at their mercy but manage to throw away the chance, and a relieving penalty for Combe sees them out of danger and the final whistle. The Derby turned into a classic.
No league points for Combe which still leaves them too close to the drop zone for comfort. OE’s can continue their challenge for the top.
With the postponed matches now with new dates it is non-stop league rugby for Combe for the next seven weeks starting next Saturday away at Thurrock. Check the web sites for the kick-off time. The next home game is against East Grinstead on 1st February.

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

Match reporter : Bruce Mackenzie.