It wasn’t pleasant. Constant rain, wind and a soggy surface on the pitch all put paid to that. At the same time too often frustration boiled over to outbreaks of fisticuffs. A fair turnout of foolhardy die-hard supporters however.

Combe got the scoreboard moving early on. A clean break by Ant Hitchcock in the opening minutes took Combe into the visitors 22, and James Cameron slotted the first of his penalty kicks. Five minutes later he knocked over his second. 6-0 up within ten minutes.

Thereafter it was a battle of attrition. Inevitably in the conditions mistakes would be made – the ball spilled, scrums collapsed, passes not to hand, touch kicks missed, or overcooked. Combe had the better of the lineout, dominance at the scrum changed hands. Play was between the two 22’s, and neither side looked like breaking through again. Combe had a long spell in defence without their line being seriously threatened, and with the half drawing to a close at last kicked away and with a penalty award were close to the opposition line on the right-hand side. Line-out, drive and Lee Covington was on the back of it to claim the try. James Cameron added the extras, and both sides could retreat inside to the dry with Combe deservedly ahead, the score 13-0. The spectators would have to tough out the fifteen minute break. Soaked or saturated, take your pick.

No let-up in the weather at the re-start, and no change in the play. Combe had a twenty metre drive from one line-out which stirred the supporters, for a moment, but otherwise it was pretty dire. The conditions made sure of that. Into the last quarter Colchester at last found a successful penalty kicker when James Crozier knocked one over to register their first points, but still neither side had looked like crossing for a try. Except perhaps until Ant Hitchcock charged down a Colchester kick ahead on the half-way, hacked on and slithered over for Combe’s second try. James Cameron could not add the extras but with ten minutes or so to go 18-3 should be sufficient to see Combe home. But it was also time for more scraps and a couple of yellow cards. The final whistle could not come soon enough. It was even darker now, and the spectators were losing interest. Combe may have won the game, but the weather had beaten both sides.

Next week Combe travel to London Irish, still the only unbeaten side in the league. Combe’s next home game is on 28th November, kick-off 2.00pm. Chichester are the visitors.

Westcombe Park XV: T. Gray; J. Penney, A. Hitchcock, D. Bonner, O. Dixon; J. Cameron, R. Cattanach; R. Conlon, J. Bonner, N. Porter, A. Weighton, K. Coulter, R. Adeniyi-Jones, L. Covington, S. Dixon.
Subs. - J. Snape, T. Clarke, M. Holmes.

Match reporter - Bruce Mackenzie.