The pitch looked lush and luxurious, there was a light warm wind, occasional drizzle, and a rainbow. The large crowd were in good voice and full of eager anticipation. Combe got the scoreboard going, with just five minutes on the clock. Richard Paddick started it off, into Gravesend territory, through hands and phases and with the home defence on the back foot, Matt Arvier was through and over. Ben Hough added the conversion. Combe came close again with a lineout and drive to the line, but were held up just short. Not to be outdone, Gravesend pinched a scrum, and moving it left, winger Temi Okenia was over in the corner. No conversion. 5-7. Combe promptly replied, with Dylan Flashman making ground from a lineout, moved right, second phase, spun left and Casey Stone on a straight run cut right through to the posts. Ben Hough added the extras. 5-14. With halftime looming, Combe had cleared their lines but from broken play Gravesend moved it left, found an overlap and George Montgomery squeezed in at the corner. No conversion. Two kicks the difference. 10-14.

In the first half both sides had struggled to get to grips with the whys and wherefores of the referee’s whistling. It had been scrappy, with little shape or pattern for either side. The second half was an improvement. Combe began to string it together. In the face of a Combe attack, Gravesend were over-eager in defence. Ben Hough slotted the ensuing penalty. 10-17. With Combe again on the attack the hosts had to go a player short, which allowed Combe’s pack to get on top. Combe made it count. Gravesend were a second man short, and were being pushed all over. A score was inevitable and came by way of a penalty try award. Easy conversion for Ben Hough. 10-24. Less than twenty minutes to go. Combe are still full of running. They also pound the Gravesend line but are kept at bay. With five minutes to go Casey Stone gathers and counters down the left. He is closed down close to the line but finds Trent Nattrass in support who picks the pass up off his toes and crosses for the bonus point try. Ben Hough has brought his kicking boots and adds the conversion. 10-34. It is not quite yet over. The hosts in one last flurry move it left and right, and work Ziggy Stevens over to the sound of the last and final whistle of the day. 15-34.

Next week Combe are at home to Hertford. The last of the 3.00pm kick-offs this side of Christmas. There is a supporters’ lunch beforehand. There might still be some room left. Combe remain at the top of the league for another week, despite falling foul of the registration rules as five points have been forfeited. There are also injuries to contend with. Life is never easy.

Westcombe Park XV: C. Stone; K. Leeper, T. Nattrass, B. Hennah, J. Niven; B. Hough, J. Wilkes; D. Weston, H. Barton, J. Sheppard, D. Flashman, K. Coulter, R. Paddick, L. Covington, M. Arvier.

Subs : M. Poole, T. Lang, J. Wright.

Match reporter - Bruce Mackenzie.