Combe exacted a fair degree of revenge from the narrow home defeat last November when Sevenoaks edged a tight game by a couple of points in pretty atrocious conditions. In contrast, Saturday’s game was played on an uncompromisingly hard home pitch and the high score compared to the earlier game was evidence of this. Sevenoaks got off to the best possible start when a secure line-out produced good attacking ball. Quick recycling wrong footed the visitors’ defence and the try was secured, the conversion making it 7-0.

Combe then had the bulk of play but it took until 20 minutes for Elliott Roofe to claim Combe’s first try after multi-phase play in and around the home 22. Nathan Wyman kicked the conversion to level the scores. The visitors continued to press but were hard put to breach a gritty home defence and it was the Oaks that scored next after a neat couple of jinks from Josh Livett, followed by a penetrating kick through for Jacob Ivell to score. The conversion was successful and it looked as Sevenoaks would go in 14-7 to the good. But an off the ball piece of foul play gave Westcombe Park the chance for a final assault and, when the ball was released from the forwards, Toby Wallace served through the defence for the try. Wyman’s kick made it 14 apiece at half time.

Combe continued to exert pressure and Nick Cook and Naj Mundicha combined powerfully to put Wyman in for the try which he converted giving Westcombe Park the lead for the first time. On 52 minutes a slick line out move and charge gave Roofe his second try of the game and Combe’s bonus point, Wyman’s boot making it 14-28. 5 minutes later a high tackle gave Wyman the chance to make it 14-31. Combe were now on a roll and a couple of pugnacious thrusts and a Kyan Braithwaite off load put scrum half Mikel Davies in for the try. The successful conversion made14-38.

But Sevenoaks still had a couple of shots to fire. A pacy break by replacement David Rufai got the home side’s third try. A Wyman penalty, giving him a 100% record from the boot, made it 21-41 but Sevenoaks got a precious bonus point score by Charlie Corrigan in the dying minutes to make the final score 28-41.

A week off next week and then Combe have their last home game against in form Old Albanians. Make sure you’re there. We will also be marking the sad death of former Combe president Frank Meakin.