Worrying Times at Combe after Another Poor Second-half

We have a problem Houston, or rather Goddington Dene does, as Combe go down to a bad defeat at the hands of Westcliff who may be struggling at the foot of the table but on this showing it's difficult to see why. Their forwards in the set pieces, particularly the scrums had the measure of Combe's and they don't lack pace elsewhere in these conditions.

Combe, on the other hand, had the pace on occasions, tackled well most of the time but spilled more ball in this match than the rest of the season put together. The biggest difference between the sides though, when all said and done was that, for the second week running, Combe did not play in the second-half. They hardly emerged from their 22-metre area and when they did they scored a try!

There is no doubt that the blistering start Combe made to the season is now being nullified as other teams come to grips with the pace and fitness required in this League, the ever lengthening injury list is now taking its inevitable toll and the conditions at this time of year are a great leveller.

Westcliff made the better start in the first few minutes exerting a good deal of pressure and gaining a penalty in the first minute. Two minutes later they gained the first points when they worked the ball down the line before the winger Conor O'Brien went in at the right corner.

Combe began to stir themselves now and had a lengthy period of play looking the more dangerous for most of the next twenty minutes but with Westcliff not appearing to be having too much trouble containing them. Twice the opposition broke down, first a slick passing phase by the Combe backs gave Ben Hough the chance to go over for the try.

Like the proverbial buses you might wait seasons for one to come along and then two come along in one match! What am I talking about? Westcliff's conversion attempt and then Combe's both bounced off the crossbars!

The second time Westcliff broke down Iain Gordon comfortably slotted the penalty to give Combe an 8—5 lead on the half-hour mark. Five minutes later and Westcliff, having broken clear for the first time in a long time, gained a penalty and fly-half Greg Bannister slotted a good effort to get his first points and put his side on level terms.

So it was 8—8 at the break. Combe stayed out, Westcliff retreated to the dressing-rooms.

Whether that was significant or not I do not know, but ten minutes later Westcliff started the second-half like a train. Combe were stoic and absorbed everything they had to for seven minutes and following a relieving kick and subsequently good ball at a line out scrum-half Joe Wilkes was able to cross and Combe had made it look oh! So easy.

The Combe support, no doubt, thought here we go, that we would build on the lead. From that moment on Westcliff had Combe in a vice-like grip and didn't falter until even Combe looked like they had accepted the inevitable.

Even the best defences cannot hold out for ever and after ten or twelve minutes Greg Bannister slipped the shackles hit a gap and went in under the posts. The conversion was a formality and gave Westcliff a two points lead they had not enjoyed since the sixteenth minute.

Westcliff were immediately back laying siege to Combe's line and seven minutes later gained a penalty that Greg Bannister slotted to close out the scoring with a personal tally of 13 points out of his sides 18.

Just five points the difference and the best part of fifteen minutes to go. Surely Combe could at least close the gap. Gone was the free running and passing enjoyed earlier in the season, the mistakes multiplied and there was a certain inevitability about the way the game came to its end.

Ironically even in defeat Combe closed the gap on last week's victors who went down to East Grinstead and while the two sides have been battling it out for second place Irish Wild Geese have moved from third to first and now have a four point lead at the top. Guess who are Combe's next opponents.

Too early to panic, Houston, but that problem needs sorting.

Match Reporter: Mike Attewell