Hat-tricks from winger Joe Ratcliff and back row Nick Cook helped Westcombe Park complete a successful campaign in fine fashion. The supporters were treated to a veritable try fest with Combe scoring ten and Sidcup contributing a trio of their own. That the clubhouse was bouncing after the match is an understatement.

The home side scored 6 tries in a powerful first half display. Joe Ratcliff got his first after 4 minutes when the ball was moved left, quickly recycled and the winger took a good line to touch down. Jacob Buckley slotted the first of his 8 conversions. Sidcup bounced back and camped in Combe’s 22 for a while. Pressure told and a strong scrum 5 metres out was rewarded with the score which was converted. 7 points apiece.

Combe scored next when prop Elliott Roofe barged his way through the defence to feed skipper Nick Cook for his first try. Roofe’s fellow prop Aaron Cooper was next to score after a long clearance kick was regained by WPRFC and, with the defence still rushing back, the try was there for the taking. Again the visitors came back, working an overlap out on the left wing for the score making it 21-12 with just over 20 minutes of the half played.

Free scoring Combe kept up the momentum and Ratcliff scored his second taking another good attack line when Combe had rumbled the ball into the danger zone. Player of the match James Burton scored next when he collected a Matt Harrison clearance kick and ran half the length of the field to dot down. And finally, Harry Hudson finished off a slick line out move with hooker Callum Harris to score Combe’s sixth try. Buckley kicked a difficult touchline conversion to make it 40-12 to Combe at the whistle.

Combe started the second period with the same intent with returning winger Cameron Hancock taking advantage of a Harrison hack through which was collected by KK Orelaja to pass to his fellow back for the try. Skipper Nick Cook and Raf Dutta combined down the left for the no 8 to score his second of the afternoon. Sidcup scored their third try on the hour mark, again through some strong scrummaging but, at 54-19, some of the heat had gone out of the game. Ratcliff completed his hat-trick after a fine run from his captain. Then Cook finished his hat-trick and a fine afternoon for the Goddington Dene side finishing off a powerful break by Orelaja with the last play of the game.

A great way for the season to end for Westcombe Park and commiserations to Sidcup who sadly will be relegated having endured a tough injury stricken season. See you all in the autumn for Combe’s next challenge; national league Rugby.