Player of the match Max Brown kicked a penalty at the death to give Combe a hard-fought win. Before that it looked as if the last-minute loss hoodoo was going to strike once more

Both sides struggled to gain the ascendancy with Bury probably edging the pressure and territory stakes. It wasn’t until the 17th minute that the deadlock was broken. A rock-solid BSE scrum produced clean ball which was moved through hands, winger Peter White gathering an offload to score in the corner. 5 minutes later Combe hit back, Jack Augier scoring the first of his brace when the ball was swiftly moved to the wing. Max Brown kicked an excellent touchline conversion.

From broken play in midfield BSE scored next, creating an overlap for Euan Rees to touch down, Ben Penfold converting. Brown’s boot narrowed the gap to 10-12 when BSE were penalised in front of the posts. And that was how the half ended underlining the closeness of the contest.

Early in the second period Combe went in front for the first time, Aungier again scoring on the end of a backs move following a forwards’ line out drive. Brown’s touchline kick was successful. That lead was extended with probably the try of the match when Combe built an impressive 20 plus set of phases finished with a try for David Rufai. BSE’s discipline in that period of play was equally impressive, not coughing up a single penalty.

BSE then took advantage when Combe were down to 14 players, a yellow card being shown for cumulative indiscretions. From the resultant penalty, Ben Sams crashed over under the posts and Penfold’s conversion narrowing the gap.

Combe’s Nick Cook broke through with a galloping run to score to give Combe the lead at 27-19 but a great line from BSE’s Clark MacFarlane and a penalty for offside by Ben Penfold gave Bury the lead 29-27 and it felt like deja vue all over again for the Combe support. But then Brown’s boot had the last say and Combe had won by the narrowest of margins.

A fallow Saturday coming up and then a trip to London Welsh on Valentine’s day.

Scorers:
Westcombe Park:
Tries: Aungier (21,44), Rufai (52), Cook (68)
Conversions: Brown (22,45)
Penalties: Brown (40,78)
Bury St Edmunds
Tries: White (17), Rees (26), Sams (66), MacFarlane (71)
Conversions: Penfold (2,6,71)
Penalties: Penfold (73)
Half time score: Westcombe Park RFC 10-12 Bury St Edmunds RFC
Crowd: 120
Star Player: Max Brown