An entertaining encounter see the X-Men progress in Cup

Westcombe Park's second string hosted Aylesford Bulls in the semi final of the Kent Cup with both sides determined to progress, the Bulls currently sit 4th in London 2 proving that they are a very decent side. The first 20 minutes showed what the Bulls were all about and they certainly started the brighter of the two team’s, the majority of the opening exchanges spent in the Combe half with the hosts having to defend the relentless and dominant Bulls pack.

Aylesford were asking all of the questions and got their reward on 13 minutes when after an infringement some 10 meters out, the Bulls pack got a march on to devastating effect pushing the Combe pack backwards at a rate of knots ultimately giving No.8 Matt O'Connor the easiest of touch downs from the back of the scrum. Andrew Martyn added the extra's giving a deserved 7-0 lead.

This was the wake up call that Combe needed and they slowly but surely started to get back into the game, a text book backs move saw Combe attacking the Bulls line, a penalty was awarded and the 3 points were added by Phillip Loyden reducing the deficit to just 4 points.

Combe were now pressing hard and looked the more likely to score, however, yet another turnover saw the Bulls kick to clear, the bounce of the ball made it difficult to control and ultimately full back Chris O'Neill & the ball was tackled over the line giving the Bulls a 5 meter scrum. Their impressive pack once again dominated allowing the ball to be spun wide where full back Ryan Fuller was in support at unstoppable pace to cross in the corner giving the Bulls a 12-3 lead.

The game ebbed and flowed with both sides trying to work an advantage and exploit any weaknesses, Combe were now in the ascendancy and another attack was thwarted illegally giving a penalty some 20 meters out, Phil Loyden kicked to the corner and from the resulting line out, the pack drove over the line for Reece Conlon to secure the 5 points. The conversion was missed.

Half Time WP 8-12 Aylesford Bulls

Combe started the 2nd half exactly as had been demanded of the coaches during the half time team talk, Aylesford were now beginning to tire, control and patience were the buzz words and surely superior fitness would ultimately secure the victory. A great break with the pack in support saw a ruck formed 7 meters from the Bulls line and George Blomfield emerged from the ruck ball in hand a dived for the line, his outstretched arm just long enough to see the ball dotted down over the whitewash giving Combe the lead for the very 1st time, a lead that was not to be relinquished for the remainder of the game. Loyden expertly slotted the conversion giving the home side a narrow 15-12 lead.

The Bulls were now desperately defending and when the ball was lost in the scrum on their own put in, Combe backs had the opportunity to stretch their legs and carried play to the Bulls 22 where Geoff Marshall was on hand to receive the final pass and power over for an impressive team try, the conversion was missed but the score was now 20-12 with some 25 minutes still to play.

Within 5 minutes of the restart, some sloppy defending allowed the Bulls centre pairing to break and eventually see hooker Matt Burt driven over to reduce the arrears to just 3 points and set up a tense final 15 minutes.

Crucially, during this period, ex Combe Man Peter Webdale who had been a nuisance all afternoon, was correctly given his marching order for repeated infringements leaving the opposition a man down, with Combe now dominating possession, territory and finally the scum , it was evident that Bulls would have to pull something very special out of the bag to find that elusive score to secure a victory.

Excellent breaks by Grist and Swan were defended well but it was almost Aylesford that had the last word, on almost the last play of the game, Combe were once again turned over allowing the Bulls winger to race from his own 22 towards the Combe line and certain glory, Chris Lewis was alert to the danger and covered well to take man and ball into touch allowing the coaches to then remove their hearts from their mouths!

Final score, Westcombe Park 20-17 Aylesford Bulls

This was a very good result from the ‘Combe Extra 1st XV against a very strong and determined Aylesford Bulls side, credit must be given to the opposition for the way they played and their dogged determination right up to the final whistle despite many of the players having played the day before. On balance of play, the final result was probably the right outcome but the Combe lads were made to work very hard indeed.
Some outstanding work from the pack in defence sapped the energy of the Bulls pack and the unfamiliar centre pairing of Grist and Toms excelled when faced with strong Bulls runners with not a single tackle missed. The wings and full back covered well eliminating most of the Bulls attacks and then giving us the platform to go on and secure the victory, with each score resultant of excellent team work and sheer hard graft.

Each man played their part and stayed focussed on the objective of the game which is a place in the final of the County competition. We will face our old friends Canterbury who narrowly beat Old Dunstonians by 18 points to 17 in the other semi final.

Kent Cup Final, Sunday 29th April, 3.30pm, at Medway RFC

Please come along and support the lads.