Combe grounded in Guernsey

Combe could only take off and touch down on the match day afternoon and this meant an evening kick-off under floodlights and a full moon. The pitch was wet and soggy, but did stand up remarkably well in the circumstances. It had been lashing it down. The gathering travelling support had to soak up the local hospitality as best they could whilst waiting for the team plane to land and the game to start.

Not surprisingly it took a while for Combe to settle and acclimatise. Indeed they were three tries down after twenty minutes and had seen little of the ball. The first came in the opening minutes when a penalty kick to touch for the home side found the corner and the follow up line-out and drive saw hooker Tom Cillam over. The conversion attempt went wide. Guernsey kept up the pressure and after several phases and safe hands flanker Jim Regnard was in for his try, converted by Sam Whitehead off the post. A missed tackle opened up the chance for full-back Sam Whitehead to score the third time, and it seemed too much like one-way traffic. But Combe steadied and began to win and hold onto possession. Guernsey won their scrum on their own line but under pressure. Combe won the turnover and through quick hands found Graham Purdy, who weaved his way to the line for an unconverted try. (17-5 ). Half time looming and Combe had perked up.

At the restart Combe picked up where they left off. They won the line-out in the corner but spilled the ball on the way to the line, Ben Hennah was inches short of an interception. Then from a line-out on Guernsey’s 22, off the top, along the line, Ben Hennah straightening made space for Trent Nattrass to slide in at the corner. Not easy for a conversion, still at 17-10 Combe were back in the game. Ben Hennah made a big break from an unpromising position. Both sides were making mistakes or missing opportunities. There was a lively trade in penalties, as the breakdown became more and more chaotic. Guernsey had gone off the boil but now found their second wind. A penalty brought them close in the left corner. The line-out was driven but held out by Combe. However the subsequent pounding of the line saw Lewis Hillier over from close range, and the conversion attempt hit the post. Into the last minutes Combe were still full of running or chip and chase. Sam Whitehead added a penalty for the home side, who spilled a scoring opportunity with the line at their mercy as the final whistle was blown.

Guernsey had a bonus point win, and Combe nothing to show for their endeavours. Unrewarded perhaps, but not unappreciated by the by now merry band of supporters.

Next week is the re-arranged fixture away at Tonbridge Juddians. Best check the web sites for venue and kick-off time.

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

Match reporter : Bruce Mackenzie.