What must have been a tough half-time talk for the visitors produced a dominant 3rd period dragging Esher back from a 24-12 deficit to parity. Another couple of scores including a penalty try and 2 yellow cards for Combe sealed the win but a last-minute Oscar Daniel penalty at least gave Combe a losing bonus point to the try bonus already secured.

Combe were on the scoreboard early, a 3rd minute Daniel penalty after a high tackle nudging them ahead. Esher struck back quickly rumbling from a quick tap when Combe were pinged for no release in the tackle in the danger zone. A Dan Shergold break was finished off by Adam Hakimian with Daniel adding the conversion for 10-5.

Esher responded vigorously pounding the Combe defence who, despite conceding penalties, held firm. However something had to give and Combe went down to 14 players for a deliberate knock on, Esher quickly exploiting this when scrum-half Pierre Thompson spotted a gap and ran untouched under the posts. Combe grabbed back to lead a few minutes later, wing Jack Aungier taking advantage of a massive Westcombe Park line-out drive to score out wide. Just before the half-time break, Alessandro Mimms struck after a period of intense home side pressure.

At 24-12 Combe looked to be sitting pretty but that lead was narrowed when Esher took a quick free kick and darted in to score. Another quick tap and try by the ever-alert Thomson brought the scores level at 24-24 and Esher scored almost from the re-start to take the lead when lock Dan Cooke was on hand to finish a penetrating run by winger Alex Gribbon.
5 minutes later Combe’s Lewis Glasspole levelled the match finishing off a multiphase passage of play.

But the to and fro continued this time Esher profiting from speed of ball in the Combe 22 to move back into the lead. Combe hit back, Callum Harris finishing off a catch and drive in the corner making the score 34-36. But then came that penalty try for knocking the ball deliberately into touch. At 34-43 Esher had secured a deserved win but Combe had the consolation of Daniel’s last gasp penalty.

Combe are on the road next week-end to high flying Oundle.