Westcombe Park’s first visit to Oundle had a stirring finale but it was the home side that came away with maximum points. Combe had the opportunity to level the match with the last play of the game but bravely elected to go for the win by kicking for the corner. Oundle turned over the resulting line-out and the visitors had to make do with the try and losing bonus points.

Oundle had won a close encounter at Goddington Dene in December, so the visitors were looking to reverse that and started brightly dominating possession and territory. But it was the home side that struck first, a dominant scrum resulting in a penalty, and from the line-out Ben Whyman broke the line to score. Ben Young converted. Combe responded vigorously and continued to have the lion’s share of the ball and put that to good account when Toby Wallace scored from great line out ball. Mikel Davies’ conversion brought the scores level at seven points apiece.

Oundle’s set piece was impressive and a dominant scrum resulted in the home side’s second try from Anthony Maka, the successful conversion making it 14-7. That lead increased when Combe were penalised at the set piece and Oundle’s Harry Morley scored from the resultant line-out. 21-7 for the home side. Although the vistors’ scrum was not clicking, the line-out led by Sam Fombo was in good shape and, when as half-time loomed, Combe secured a line-out in dangerous field position, the drive rumbled forward and was illegally pulled down by the defence for a penalty try. Despite some great attacking from Oundle it remained 21-14 at the whistle.

The scores were levelled once more just when some serious Oundle pressure looked like putting the home side further ahead. A series of pick and goes in the Westcombe Park danger zone looked certain to result in a try but an alert Max Brown picked of a short-range pass to run the length of the field to score. But parity didn’t last long and Oundle went back into the lead when Tevita Va’enuku scored off the back of a line-out.

It was Oundle’s turn to maintain the territorial and possession pressure and the visitors’ set piece was just about holding up. But in the end something had to buckle and Oundle went further ahead from another line -out drive resulting in a try for Harry Nicholl under the posts. Westcombe Park responded well and it was now their turn to dominate territory. There were ten minutes left on the watch when Combe pummeled the line. Oundle’s discipline creaked and from a couple of tap penalties in a row Kyan Braithwaite went over for Combe. Mikel Davies slotted a difficult conversion and the score was a tight 33-28.

Combe went hard at it and when Naj Mundicha thundered through the defence the off-load was gathered by Cai Devine to score. The conversion went astray and it was all level again at 33-33. Oundle weren’t finished though and, when Combe transgressed on the 10m line, a cool Ben Young slotted a challenging kick to win the match for Oundle.

Back to Goddington Dene for the final game of the season against Oxford Harlequins. It is also a Family Day and the powers that be have announced that it is free entry for all. So let’s celebrate in style!