Combe took another tumble, as their poor streak of form seems to continue. This time it was league leaders London Irish who finished ahead showing in so doing, why they are at the top: pace, precision, patience and the ability to punish mistakes and turn them to their advantage and into points. They also played the breakdown better, as too often Combe were on the wrong end of the whistle. A pity as there has not been much rugby to watch these last few weeks, and all the momentum Combe had from the start of the season has stalled. Still there was a good turnout, and many visiting supporters, all eagerly awaiting this clash. Irish were on their first visit to Goddington Dene. It was mighty cold, a bit damp, a sticky pitch, low winter sun.
From the start both sides showed they would run with the ball if they could, but both were vulnerable to handling errors. Irish charged down a Combe kick ahead, countered down the left, back inside and winger John Davetanivalu was over for the first score of the day. No conversion. Less than ten minutes on the clock. Combe would hit back, with ground made by Hamish Barton and Nikki Davies. Combe pinched an Irish scrum in their 22, Nikki Davies again, quick re-cycled ball and skipper Hamish Barton was over. With Ben Hough adding the conversion, Combe were 7-5 up. Not for long. With Combe pinned back near their own line in the left corner, a diagonal kick to the right was plucked up by their other winger, Fraser Carlisle, who dotted down for a second try for the visitors. No conversion. 7-10. Into the last minutes of the half, the penalty count against Combe was rising. They also were a man short. Combe came close when Kieran Leeper almost gathered over the line after a pick-up and chip from Trent Nattrass. But it was Combe being punished for conceding penalties as two out of three efforts at goal for Irish out-half Liam Prescott went over. 7-16 to the visitors at half-time.
It was still in the balance. Combe were getting the better of it at scrum time, but the breakdown was not going their way, and the ball was being spilled too often, in the line-out as well as open play. Part of that was also due to the resolute Irish defence. They in turn were also put under some pressure and their movement restricted. Ben Hough slotted over an early penalty after the re-start, and Liam Prescott added another for 10-19, but until the last ten minutes it was stalemate. Dale Bellinger was making some impact and some inroads for Combe. John Davetanivalu was stopped short, and Combe defended well to keep out the follow up waves. With Combe on the half way, setting up their own attack, Irish full-back Peter Hodgkinson picked off Combe’s pass to the wing, intercepted and scampered through to the posts. An easy conversion for Liam Prescott. A killer blow, and too much to claw back in the time remaining. To rub salt into the wound Peter Hodgkinson also put over a drop-goal to take the visitors up to a 10-29 lead with only two or three minutes left. Irish might have taken their foot off the pedal with the game won, or Combe were stung into reaction. First a diagonal kick from Iain Gordon right side found Ed Lang on the receiving end, 15-29, then, Trent Nattrass streaked clear from his 22 down the right touchline for a score in the corner. (20-29). Both tries offered difficult conversion opportunities and neither went over. For the first time this season, Combe were without a bonus point of some description. Some respectability had been added to the final score but essentially, Irish had outplayed Combe.

Next week Combe travel to CS Rugby, and are back at home on 20th December for the last game before the Christmas break.
Westcombe Park XV: J. Penny; B. Young, T. Nattrass, N. Davies, K. Leeper; B. Hough, B. Fourie; R. Conlon, H. Barton, J. Sheppard, D. Flashman, K. Coulter, R. Paddick, E. Lang, M. Arvier.

Subs. : M. Poole, D. Bellinger, I. Gordon.

Match reporter: Bruce Mackenzie.