A three-try spree put Combe in the clear, and keeps them at the top of the table for a third week with maximum points. At half time it did not look very likely, as the home side were struggling to hold onto the ball in damp conditions, and were finding difficulty in unpicking the visitors’ defence. Except, Tring lost their full-back to injury, their pack were beginning to crack, and man-of-the-match Chris Lewis was everywhere.
In damp and dreary conditions, perhaps signalling the end of sunshine rugby for a while, both sides seemed to have forgotten how to play with a wet ball. Both sides were spilling it. Perhaps Combe were the more guilty, but that was probably because they had more possession. There was little pattern for either side, mistakes were made but not punished. Tring had the first shot at goal, from far out but it did not come close. Iain Gordon chipped through for Casey Stone and John Leiataua to follow up only to be beaten by the bounce. Jordan Davies broke clear, Kieran Leeper had a run. This was as close as it got to getting the scoreboard started coming up to the half-time whistle. Tom Newton put over a penalty for Tring, and in the closing minutes of the half Combe upped the tempo, attacked in waves and from a scrum in front of the posts it was a simple pick-up for No. 8 Richard Paddick to scrum-half Jordan Davies for a try by the posts converted by Iain Gordon for a 7-3 lead at half-time.
Come the re-start, as the drizzle persisted, each side kicked aimlessly to begin with until Combe realised that with more ball coming their way with the pack on top at the set-piece, and the visitors with one man temporarily short they could be more dangerous running with the ball. With the Tring pack in all kinds of trouble Combe ran quick ball left for Ben Hough to dot down in the corner. No conversion. 12-3 to Combe. Barely five minutes later, starting near the half-way line Tom Gray breaks out down the left, inside to Nikki Davies, onto Ben Hough, back inside to Tom Gray who is through to score. Slick handling, good support. Blink and you would have missed it. Iain Gordon added the extras, 19-3. The home support had little time to catch their breath, play swept from Combe’s 22 to Tring’s 22, as Iain Gordon took a quick tap penalty, found Hamish Barton, Nikki Davies, and Jordan Davies in support, and with quick re-cycling and swift hands via Ben Hough and John Leiataua, Tom Gray was over again for Combe’s bonus point and a lead at 24-3. In ten minutes Tring were out of the game, although they were by no means down. An attack with less than ten minutes to go saw Ben Criddle over in the left corner and they came again in the closing minutes, but Combe’s defence was too tight and determined not to allow another score.
It has been a good start to Combe’s season but we all know it is a long campaign, with many trips and surprises in store. Next week Combe are at home again, when East Grinstead are the visitors. There is a pre-match supporters’ lunch. Book early to avoid disappointment.
Westcombe Park XV : C. Stone; K. Leeper, B. Hough, J. Leiataua, T. Gray; I. Gordon, J. Davies; M. Poole; H. Barton, J. Sheppard, D. Watkins, D. Flashman, C. Lewis, L. Covington, R. Paddick.
Sub.s: J. Snape, N. Davies, C. Buckler.

Match reporter: Bruce Mackenzie.