Westcombe Park have still to record their first win at home this campaign. But if they play with the sort of determination and concentration they did on Saturday that cannot be far away!

Clifton, after a pretty indifferent start to the season, had gone to National League Two (S) league leaders Southend the previous week and taken home five points, so they were on a high. That Combe were able to compete for most of this game and came close to a result gives them and the supporters some heart.

After an opening few minutes of end-to-end rugby Combe were pushing hard in Clifton’s 22 when Jordan Mitchell ground his way over for the first try on ten minutes. It was in the corner but Luke Giles, who didn’t miss a kick all match, stepped up to add the conversion with a magnificent kick.

It didn’t take Clifton too long to reply, two minutes to be precise, and right wing Robert Viol was just too fast for the Combe defence. Chris Ashwin added the points from wide out.

Clifton has some awesome speed in their three-quarters and always look dangerous but it was Westcombe Park who were the next to strike. The forwards, having made ball available, deep in Clifton territory, saw the ball moved swiftly across field until centre Matt Spelman, sold a great dummy, hit the gap, and went over between the posts. Giles added the points with his easiest kick of the match.

That was at the end of the first-quarter, and it was a long time later, made longer by a seven minute delay while the ref received treatment for a leg injury, and again when they were getting near to half-time, Combe conceded another Viol try with too much ease.

Luke Giles opened the gap to five points with a wonderful kick from near the half-way line and it looked for all the world that Combe would go into the interval in the lead. But centre James Golledge, benefiting from a massive overlap, scored a try that Ashwin converted for Clifton to enjoy the interval lead 19—17.

Not for the first time this season Combe lost concentration each side of half-time and conceded another Clifton try, this time from back-row Dean Taylor-Menzies off the back of a scrum that kept the brunt of Combe’s defence otherwise engaged. Now with a nine point lead this was the first time there was clear blue water between the sides and Combe supporters recalled the night-mare of the Taunton game.

Six minutes of some ruthless rugby from both sides finished with a melee on the Clifton line giving Hooker Hamish Barton the chance to touch down at the base of a pile of players. Flawlessly converted by Giles and Combe were back in the hunt just two points adrift 24—26.

The hunt continued for another ten minutes but both sides were now in it and it was Clifton that made the decisive move and in three minutes opened up the biggest gap in the whole match with first, substitute back-row, Henry Mace going over and then centre Steve Leonard circling the scrum to score. Ashwin added the points for the first and the gap was 14 points, 24—38.

There was still the best part of twenty minutes left so a drubbing was still on for Combe but they buckled down to good effect and for fifteen minutes the game was back on an even keel.

Having relieved a bit of pressure in their 22 Combe had moved the ball to mid-field and suddenly had shipped it out and Kieran Leeper was diagonally heading for the corner out-stripping the covering defence and Combe had their first bonus point. Luke Giles was faced with another difficult kick and this time with the added pressure of it potentially getting the second bonus point!

With only three minutes plus any time added on remaining the Combe supporters were now wanting even more. When Combe were attacking that is—the rest of the time they were biting their finger-nails. After what seemed an age to the committed the final whistle went with both sides reasonably pleased with the outcome.

The referee on leaving the pitch was heard to say what a good game it had been (in know small measure to his even handedness, I think) and later having been in the club house, two Gentlemen of a Certain Age who apparently travel all round the area watching all sorts of rugby said what a good afternoon it had been. Sentiments most of us would agree with!

Westcombe Park: G. Purdy; K. Leeper, N. Davies, M. Spelman, T. Hockedy; L. Giles, J. Stevenson; B. McKinnell, H. Barton, J. Mitchell; D.Alexander, J. Wright; C. Street, Z. Winslade, R. Bradford.

Match Reporter: Mike Attewell.