Playing National league rugby takes it’s toll on every squad and although we were fortunate to have a very good season as far as injuries are concerned, we definitely needed to recruit to ensure we retained strength in depth.
Last season was excellent in terms of finishing 5th in the league, capped off with winning the Kent Cup final at the hands of our old rivals Blackheath.
It was however apparent to the squad, coaches and anyone that followed the 1st XV closely that we could have done so much better in the league. A couple of games were lost simply because the opposition were better than us but it was the 5 games lost by 4 points or less that we need to focus on and ensure that we close games as we were ahead in every single one of those games and contrived to let the lead slip.
We have therefore added to both the coaching team and the playing squad for the 2016-17 campaign and we are determined to improve on our league position last time out.
This will be a very tough season, the teams and players in this league make it the strongest Nat 3 LSE that we have ever seen and the usual suspects will be going for promotion once again, some of the new arrivals are apparently recruiting well and I expect a very exciting season ahead.

We are delighted to welcome to westcombe Park a number of high quality local players that have joined the club this summer along with some university returnees and a few players from further afield that are now living and working in the London area, all have come wanting to be part of the Combe experience and determined to play a major part in our successes on and off the field. These players will augment our already strong 1st XV squad, the majority of which is made up of last seasons squad and is detailed below.

Retained:
Forwards: Nick Porter, Jordan Saunders, Matt Poole, Jack Lloyd, Sam Perry, Jake Moore
Joe Bonner, Sam Perry, David Vallely, Mark Davey, Tom Clarke, Luke Bellinger, Dale Bellinger, Tom Christopher, Ryan Hackett, Chris Lewis, Lee Covington, James Catlin, James Snape, Shaun Dixon, James Dennett, Jamie Taylor

Backs: James Cameron, Ben Hennah, David Bonner, Ant Hitchcock, Bryan Young, Tommy Gray, Frankie Neale, Bradley Bateup, Josh Penney, Max Roddick, James Kenward, Niki Davies, Joe Birch, Matt Holmes, James Potter.

I am delighted in introducing:

Forwards:
Jamie Forsyth – Gravesend. Prop
Jack Dupay – Ealing Trailfinders. Prop
Jimi Stanford – Bishops Stortford. Prop
Dan Fox – Returning from Uni. Back Row
Alex Campbell – Hull Ionians. Lock/Back Row
Marcus Grima –Unattached. Back Row
Isaac Ajayi – Blackheath. Back Row
Cameron Del Moro – Gordon Highlanders (Sydney). Back Row
Charlie O’Sullivan – Cambridge University. Lock/Back Row

Backs:
James Munton – Sidcup. Scrum Half
Ollie Allman -Tunbridge Wells. Fly Half
Alban Edwards –Warlingham. Scrum Half
Jonathan Griffiths-Croydon. Fly Half
Will Grist – Returning from Uni. Centre
Nick Hill- Gravesend. Scrum Half
Harry Sansbury – Drummonyne Dirty Reds (Sydney). Full Back/Wing
Billy Liggins – Returning from Uni. Wing
Josh Livett – Returning from Uni. Full Back
Bradley Saffery – Warlingham. Centre/Wing

Departed
Reece Conlon – After a long and successful career at Combe, Reece has decided to try his hand at playing at Nat 1 level for Blackheath. Reece has been a great servant for the club and will be missed but we wish him good luck and hope that he can fulfil his ambitions. Reece has already said that whatever happens in his career, he will definitely be pulling a Combe shirt on again at some point in the future.

Rob Cattanach – Rob has been excellent for the team and really made the 9 position his own during his season with us, Rob will be returning to his native Australia and takes our best wishes with him.

Sam Randle – Sam has graduated with a law degree and is now applying for jobs with law firms in the capital, in the interim Sam has returned home to the Isle of Man and will be back with us as soon as he has secured a job (can anyone assist?).

Taylor Smith – Taylor’s visa has expired and is now travelling Europe and beyond but will ultimately return to Australia no doubt to reinforce the ranks of Drummoyne Dirty Reds in Sydney alongside no less than 7 former Westcombe Park players.

Ralph Cooke – Work and a new university course has meant that Ralph was finding it increasingly difficult to get to training and felt he couldn’t fully commit this season and will therefore play for Maidstone, his local club where I’m sure he’ll make a huge impact.

Frank Reynolds - Frank has joined Tunbridge Wells as the weekly 250 mile commute to and from training from his home in Cranbrook was becoming far too much. Frank will gain valuable 1st XV experience at T Wells and we hope to see back in a Combe shirt in the not too distant future.

I look forward to seeing you all on the touchline supporting our 1st XV and the Extra 1st XV on the 3rd September and throughout the season.

Waggers