Westcombe Park stormed to victory against second placed Colchester scoring 9 tries to claim a second promotion in 3 seasons.

An early penalty kicked by Jacob Buckley went a little way to calming home supporters’ nerves after recent losses to TWs and Hertford. And, when Josh Smith charged over following some neat combinations between Harry Hudson and Raf Dutta, those nerves settled that wee bit more.

It was a different Combe on display and the 10 point lead was increased to 29 points before the half hour mark. Winger Kieran Thompson grabbed a couple; the first when Toby Wallace collected in his own half and made a speedy burst before feeding Buckley who linked well with Thompson on the overlap. Wallace was also involved for the winger’s second try drawing in the cover defence before releasing Thompson for the score. It was then centre James Burton to get in on the act following a build up of pressure in the visitors’ 22. Burton took a good line to pierce the defence for Combe’s bonus point try and at, 29-0, it would be fair to say the hosts were dominating the match

Colchester started to fire some shots of their own. Full back Jimmy Mpailane chipped the oncoming defence then collected the ball to run in unopposed under the posts for a converted try to make it 29-7. Still, Combe were to have the last word when Hooker Callum Harris was at the back of a maul which motored over the line for a try which Buckley converted. 36-7 to Combe at the half time whistle.

Flanker Harry Hudson extended the lead with Combe’s sixth try of the match but Colchester, through Connor O’Reilly, scored their second a couple of minutes later which included a neat header from the Colchester winger! The swopping of scores continued when prop Aaron Cooper finished off another line out drive bursting through the middle of the Colchester defenders and then the visitors scored their third through the impressive Mpailane.

At 46-19 and with 20 minutes to go the match looked to be sewn up for the Goddington Dene side. Tries from player of the match Raf Dutta who seemed to lope in casually from 40 metres out through a tiring defence and another from stand-off Matt Harrison who jinked his way through the defence after Nick Cook had stormed all of 40 metres from his own half.
Combe nearly added the try of the match when centre KK Orelaja burst through an unguarded ruck, ran all of 60 metres only to be held up over the goal line. But with a final score of 60-19 the home side were more than content with the afternoon’s performance which delivered the win and the title.

Old friends and rivals Sidcup visit Goddington Dene for the final game of the season. There are various reunions taking place which will be a fitting way the celebrate this successful season.