This was a top of the table clash between the two unbeaten sides so far. Although it is still early days in the league campaign, a lot was hanging on the result. There had been rain in the morning and come kick-off there was still damp in the air. The sizeable crowd was full of anticipation. The travelling support were happy but anxious.

There was tension at the start, and fractiousness, but once the game was properly underway both sides settled and began to go through their paces. Henry Anscombe had struck an early penalty for Chichester, only for Iain Gordon to reply with one for Combe. Ten minutes gone. Trent Nattrass had his first run of the day, Gideon Roux was making inroads. After twenty minutes Iain Gordon limped off. His kicking from hand and at goal might have been missed, but Combe were confident to run out of defence when needed, otherwise there were tries to be scored. On the half hour Anscombe added his second penalty, but so far neither side had broken down stiff defences. Coming up to the interval Combe set up in the right corner, had a line-out and a drive for the line. And again. Then with a scrum on the opposition line Gideon Roux powered his way over for a try to take Combe in at half-time with a slim lead 6-8.

The sun had come out, the crowd was in full voice, boosted by the Extras who had just won their own game on the adjoining pitch. Combe were growing in confidence. The pack was on top, the line-out going their way, the back row winning a good share of the breakdown. John Leiataua was showing off his off-loads. An anxious moment had Chris Lewis saving the day in front of the posts and a covering tackle in the corner snuffed out Chichester’s best chance so far. But they did come away with another penalty for Anscombe to take the lead. Briefly. Combe were back into the opposition 22, won a penalty at a scrum, took the line-out and drive option, and Lee Covington was over, 9-13. Combe’s pack were now in the ascendancy. From a scrum on the left Ben Hough came close, and quick re-cycling saw the ball through hands for Chris Lewis to score in the right hand corner. No conversion, but Combe were now ahead 9-18, with less than ten minutes to go. From broken play Chichester moved the ball wide to Leon Driscoll to go over in the left corner. It was a momentary threat to Combe, but the hosts began to press too hard, their passing was wayward, under pressure from Combe’s defence. Indeed one more wayward pass by the home side under their own posts set up a Combe scrum on the line and a No. 8 try for Matt Arvier was inevitable. Ben Hough could add a conversion on the final whistle.

Another win, and a bonus point too. The travelling support now were happier and able to unwind.

Next week Combe are at home to old rivals Barnes.

Westcombe Park XV: C. Stone; T. Nattrass, B. Hough, J. Leiataua, T. Gray; I. Gordon, G. Roux; M. Poole, H. Barton, J. Sheppard, K. Coulter, D. Flashman, C. Lewis, L. Covington, R. Paddick.
Subs : D. Weston, M. Arvier, J. Wilkes.

Match reporter: Bruce Mackenzie.