Despite having two solid wins under their belt, Combe travelled with some trepidation to high spending East Grinstead. Conditions were perfect - a bright Indian Summer’s day, barely a hint of breeze and the pitch just taking a stud.

Combe went straight onto the attack from the kick off forcing EG back in their 22 and after a period of pressure won a penalty 35 metres out. Joe Simpson’s attempt bounced back off the upright. Combe continued to press and with committed offensive tackling a feature soon forced another penalty. This time Joe Simpson stroked the ball over from 40 metres. Combe up 0-3 after 6 mins. Combe continued to press and the game was being played predominantly in the EG half. However, the EG defence was outstanding, repelling repeated Combe attacks. However, it was not all one way traffic and from one EG sortie into the Combe half they nicked a Combe lineout and from the ensuing attack won a penalty, which the EG fly half Liam Prescott slotted over from 30 metres, 3 – 3 after 15 mins. Combe continued to dominate proceedings probing left, right, down the centre with the tight forwards to the fore. The EG defence was creaking but held firm – just. After a period of kicking for position, Combe won a penalty on half way and fashioned a rolling maul winning a penalty and then another, which was converted by Joe Simpson from 27 metres. 3-6 after 32 mins. Then another bout of kicking for position this time won by EG who gathered and ran the ball first wide down the right and then down the left with Colin Dickson outpacing the cover to score in the corner. Liam Prescott converted from wide out. 10-6 with 4 mins left to half time. Still time for EG to win another penalty but Liam Prescott missed from 38 metres. Despite Combe’s territorial dominance, 10-6 to EG at half time.

EG came flying out of the traps from the restart just as Combe had done in the first half. Wave after wave of attacks ensued from all areas of the park. Combe were under the cosh but somehow held their line. The tackling was fearsome at times with the Combe props Jordan Saunders and Nick Porter to the fore. From a rare incursion into the EG half Combe won a penalty which Joe Simpson missed from 35 metres. EG were well on top for the first 15 mins of the second half but Combe gradually clawed their way back into it. There was no let up in the ferocity of the tackling and a kicking game for position was being increasingly used by both sides to try and conjure a breakthrough. Combe were starting to reimpose themselves. Nevertheless both defences held firm. Another penalty miss from Joe Simpson after 30 mins. As the final whistle approached it seemed that EG would prevail. Combe mustered a final effort attacking down the right, EG infringed. Combe kicked to the right hand corner and won the lineout and drove on towards the EG line with a rolling maul sucking in defenders. Quickly Combe spun the ball wide through slick hands with Sam Randle going over in the corner. The conversion was missed. 10-11 with 3 mins left and the Combe faithful were looking for the defibrillator. Still time for an EG response. Liam Prescott tried a drop goal from 40 metres in desperation. Combe cleared their lines and held out for the narrowest of victories, 10-11.
Special mention for the Combe Pack, who laid the foundations for this win.

Next week Combe are away to old rivals Gravesend.

Westcombe Park XV: J. Simpson; T. Gray, A. Hitchcock, D. Bonner, S. Randle, M.Holmes, R. Cattenach; J.Saunders, J. Bonner, N. Porter, D.Bellinger, A. Weighton, J. Lindfield, L. Covington, M. Davey. Subs : R. Conlon, C. Lewis, J. Birch.

Match reporter – Franklin Pastry.