Desperate Times at Westcombe Park

Not much is going right for the first team squad at Combe these days and on Saturday 6th February, 2010 we hope it hit base. Westcombe Park certainly didn't get the "rub of the green" at any time but any hint at an excuse would be ill placed. Obviously Rosslyn Park played well, the bonus point secure after thirty-four minutes, six tries in the first-half and seven in the second but why such a plunge in Combe's form? Hitherto this season Westcombe Park have played their best against the better teams, Barking, and Ealing in particular, were good examples.
If Combe are to salvage anything from this season the week off before playing Richmond must be devoted to building confidence and their ability as a team. Individually there is no difference to the players that started the season so well despite some absences, for what ever reason, but they must get back to playing to their strengths.
To look for any signs of that return to form in the Rosslyn Park game, after the first fifteen minutes, is a waste of everyone's time and is best put behind us and forgotten.
So, for the record: there was an element of luck in the first two tries. The first, a forward lying over the ball, trapped by the post, was deemed not to effect play, the second a charge down into the in-goal area and deemed to have been touched down because of a foul. In between Lee Audis slotted Combes' only score.
After that Rosslyn Park's speed, handling and running from everywhere made it look like they could score at will and they never gave up, scoring four tries in time added on at the end of the halfs.
The first try was scored by No. 8 Mark Lock, who later scored a second, the second by outside half Rob Jewell who also added a second, the third by inside half Will O'Driscoll. The fourth by left wing Paul Unsell, who operated in acres of space throughout, and added another three tries.
The other winger Marc Sweeney scored the first try of the second half, substitute Jon Underwood scored a try, Hooker Chris Richie delivered a back to back brace. Full-back Tony Fenner scored five of his nine kicks and the other four kicks were unsuccessful.