Combe blow Barking away

....to add to the show.

Combe needed points to move clear of the drop zone, Barking had not won a game all season. Combe are now safe, Barking are doomed.

An early penalty from Iain Gordon started up the scoreboard, and within ten minutes Combe had their first try, converted from the touchline. What opened up the flood gates was Combe’s second try, started with running out of their half to the Barking 10 yard line; a ruck on the right, Iain Gordon with a delicately weighted chip to the wing, one bounce and the ball sits up for Tom Gray to collect and cut back inside to the posts. From that moment the contest was over. Four more tries in the first half. Combe could rest in the shade at the break 43-0 up. Job done but not yet completed.

Barking’s defence at best was fragile, and Combe did not have to look far to find space aplenty, yawning gaps and gaping holes. That they kept the scoreboard rolling all day was due to good off-loading and good support play. It was not just the try scorers who were contributing. Jon Wright went over twice, being on hand in support, Tom Gray showed he could score from out wide and close-in when moved up to scrum-half (four tries for him), James Sheppard was over from short range, Michael Adeniya was over for two, Trent Nattrass enjoying room to run also had two, as did Ryan Hackett again up in support. Graham Purdy, Iain Gordon, and Nikki Davies collected one each. Iain Gordon did well in the wind to knock over thirteen conversions. Final score 109-5.

To their credit Barking got some points on the board when Joshua Touma went over from a line-out and drive, but otherwise they did not feature. It was the opportunity for Combe to show off their skills - Iain Gordon with his dummies, Hamish Barton and Ben Hennah eating up the ground with their running, the front row for the set piece, the back row for second phase each maintaining the stream of possession - indeed the whole team could enjoy playing with a freedom and without the burden of any pressure or expectation. It does not happen often, and we all know what it is like to be on the receiving end.

Combe travel to Tring next week, and the final game in the league campaign is home at Goddington Dene against Barnes on 12th April, with a kick-off at 3.00pm. Barnes are threatened with relegation. They are enjoying a late run and will have all to play for. It is too early for Combe to sit back and relax.

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

Match Reporter : Bruce Mackenzie.