For much of the game there had been little in it. Westcliff were still in the hunt with twenty minutes left, but they were running out of possession and could no longer feed off any Combe mistakes. Combe had found overdrive. The sun was out, a gentle breeze at times from the clubhouse end, a good turnout on the touchline, the pitch looking in excellent trim. Combe could field a side largely unchanged from last week.

Westcliff made a bright start and had a first shot at the posts which missed. Combe ran out of defence and away from trouble but the final pass did not go to hand with the try- line beckoning. But Combe were at the right end and from close range Nick Porter was over for the first try. James Cameron knocked over the conversion. Westcliff’s second shot at goal was over, Chris Dudman kicking the penalty, and then the visitors took the lead when Combe spilled the ball and Westcliff scooped up with centre Buster Reynolds on hand to scoot in under the posts. The conversion attempt was charged down. 7-8. Combe were stung into reply when Alex Weighton drove over again from short range. James Cameron missed the extras. Nearing the end of the first half with quick ball Westcliff’s other centre Connor O’Brien was over. The conversion attempt hit the post but the visitors were ahead at halftime 12-13.

At the re-start they went further ahead as they counter attacked down the left and worked winger Tom Broughtwood in at the corner. Again the conversion failed. 12-18, and Combe had some serious work to do. Two James Cameron penalties in quick succession brought the scores level, but again on the counter and picking off a Combe mistake and with good support winger Ross Merrick was over in the right corner for a bonus point try and the lead for the visitors 18-25. Twenty minutes to go. Combe brought the bench on. The scrum started to dominate the set-piece, and Dale Bellinger could enjoy some rampaging. It brought him one try, after Ant Hitchcock had made the approach work, then James Lindfield was over after a line-out drive. James Cameron converted both and Combe were back in front. With less than ten minutes to go Dale Bellinger ran in his second, and to finish Joe Simpson was put in space and clear to go over on the right. James Cameron was not missing his kicks. 46-25. In the last quarter, Combe had picked up the pace, cut out the mistakes, and were now looking more convincing. Westcliff were short of possession and any counter attacking opportunities, but for much of the game they had been close. A solitary bonus point was perhaps little reward.

Next week Combe are away at East Grinstead, and the following week away also at Gravesend. Indeed such is the fixture list this season, Combe are not at home until 3rd October. Shelford are the visitors, and the match is preceded by the first supporters’ lunch of the season.

Westcombe Park XV: J. Simpson; T. Gray, A. Hitchcock, D. Bonner, S. Randle; J. Cameron, M. Holmes; R. Conlon, J. Bonner, N. Porter, A. Weighton, M. Davey, J. Lindfield, L. Covington, R. Adenyi-Jones.
Subs : J. Saunders, D. Bellinger, R. Cattanach.

Match reporter - Bruce Mackenzie.