............ (if only the last five minutes of the game could be overlooked). Combe lost their unbeaten streak last week. This week TJ’s would lose theirs. Combe had built up a 23-5 lead with five minutes left on the clock, but in moments of madness and mayhem let the visitors not only back into the game, but also with a chance to nick a victory. Such is Combe’s way to the delight and despair of the touchline support!

Leaden skies, damp in the air. The pitch looked lush, though was greasy on top. Not a bad crowd in, as for sure some had still made their journey to the other side of London. An early kick-off to accommodate the match on TV to its strains of ‘the whirl in ooniahh’.
Not a lot happened in the first half. TJ’s started with the clubhouse behind them. There was no particular wind advantage. Indeed it was Combe who dominated possession and position. TJ’s were kept out of the Combe half. Early on Combe had the upper hand at the set piece, which would hold them in good stead for the rest of the game. Both sides conceded penalties. TJ’s on a rare visit to Combe’s half had the first shot at goal but their effort hit the upright. Although Combe knocked on the rebound they won the ball back and Alex Weighton led the charge out to the half-way to save the day. Tom Clarke and Jordan Saunders led another charge towards the visitors’ line. But it was TJ’s with the first score, again in a rare visit to Combe’s half they spun the ball left and centre Tom Nicoll squeezed in at the corner. No conversion, twenty-five minutes gone. Combe’s defence is up to the challenge, another penalty chance for TJ’s goes missing. The half closes with Combe pushing a shot at goal wide and with their tight-head off with a shoulder injury.

Combe had to get some points on the board and early on. A second promising move went left, TJ’s offended and James Cameron kicked his first penalty. Combe again were on the attack. Rob Cattanach and Sam Randle led the way and again TJ’s conceded the penalty for James Cameron to slot over. 6-5. Mark Davey and Richard Adeniyi-Jones led another kick-out from a line-out to come close to TJ’s line. But three scrums later the score had not altered. It was though now with penalty advantage, Combe could spin the ball right and Tom Gray found a gap cutting back inside to go over for the first try of the game. James Cameron obliged with the conversion. 13-5 to Combe, going into the last quarter. It was Combe from the re-start. Reece Conlon and Richard Adeniyi-Jones setting it up down the right hand side, and with second and third phases moving left Sam Randle was in space and off, as quick as a quarter-final referee at the final whistle. In at the corner and round to the posts to make it a formality for James Cameron. 20-5. With five minutes left James Cameron landed a long range effort from centre field. 23-5. That should have been game over. But Combe insisted on living dangerously. There followed a frantic last five minutes. Combe failed to clear their lines, and instead tried to run out from near the try line. They conceded a penalty, but managed to scramble the ball away to touch. TJ’s throw, drive, the backs joined in and their team effort drove Toby Martin over. Ben Cooper converted. 23-12. Still minutes left on the clock. Had Combe learnt? Apparently not. TJ’s ran back the re-start, made ground, and Lee Campion touched down in the right-hand corner. 23-17. Still a minute on the clock. TJ’s came again, came close, and it was only an interception by Frankie Neale that saved Combe’s day, as he scampered away to TJ’s half, safety, and the final whistle.

Rest again next week, for everyone. 7th November Combe are away to Guernsey. The next home game is 14th November when new-comers Colchester visit, with a Supporters’ lunch beforehand.

Westcombe Park XV: F. Neale; T. Gray, A. Hitchcock, D. Bonner, S. Randle; J. Cameron, L. Wendt; R. Conlon, J. Bonner, J. Saunders, A. Weighton, T. Clarke, M. Davey, L. Covington, S. Dixon.
Subs: N. Porter, R. Adeniyi-Jones, R. Cattanach.

Match reporter - Bruce Mackenzie.