Westcombe Park v Old Elthamians

Westcombe Park 2's welcomed local rivals OE's to Goddington Dene for their first league game of the season, Combe always knew this was going to be a tough game but was feeling positive after the hard work the whole squad has put in during pre season.
Elthamians took the lead through a early penalty to lead 0-3, Combe had the upper hand in the scrums with Dave Grace having his opposite man in all sorts of trouble throughout, a good break in midfield by number 8 Ryan Hackett lead to a kickable penalty for fly half Joe Simpson to level the scores 3-3 the next 5 minutes was all OE's being more physical at the break down and good hands down the line and a very suspect forward pass to the winger allowed him to sprint down the left wing to go over in the corner, conversion missed but 2 more penalty goals in quick succession gave OE's a 6-14 lead, Combe shot into life in a good 10 minute spell for the home side, first up Chris Lewis making a brilliant break down the left, the big 2nd row with only the winger to beat done a great show and go to fool the winger and show good speed to score, 11-14, a penalty from OE's extended there lead, but a good break from Joe Simpson on halfway who stepped and left the defence planted gained good meters, after some scrappy play scrum half Ben faurie chipped through and was quick enough to touch the ball down for the try.

16-17 half time and all to play for.

The 2nd half started with both teams slow out the blocks, but midway through the half good hands down the back line saw Niki Davies with ball in hand, the winger cutting back in and drawing the opposition wing and centre to send Alex Smith away down the right wing and under the posts for a 21-17 lead to the home side, the last 10 minutes and Combe was slowly letting the game slip, a mixture of wrong decisions and fitness, we let Elthamians in for 2 quick try's to put distance between the sides, a penalty from the OE's 10 who had a solid game with the boot all game wrapped things up for a final score of Westcombe Park 2s 21- 32 Old Elthamians 2s

A lot of positives to be taken with some solid individual displays, Ben faurie, Chris Lewis and Josh Penney will all be 1st team bound if performances like that keep coming.

Match Reporter : Ricky Cook