......, but again it was Combe’s ability to finish strongly that saw the home team turn it around and secure a deserved victory. Rattling up fifteen points without reply had the visitors stunned, and the home support (mightily) relieved.

Another windy afternoon, but dry. A good crowd in festive mood. Combe started briskly. Within ten minutes Tom Gray was over in the left corner and round towards the posts. It came from swift ball and slick handling, from Ant Hitchcock and Rob Cattanach. The conversion attempt hit the upright. Soon after, a strike against the head, and an almighty shove in the scrum had Wimbledon retreating and conceding the penalty. James Cameron obliged. 8-0. Combe were enjoying most of the play, but they did have the elements with them. Shaun Dixon and Mark Davey led the charge upfield, Wimbledon on the back foot deliberately knocked-on in front of the posts. Three more points from James Cameron’s boot. But with one man down, temporarily, Wimbledon began to bounce back. They had shown already they could drive from a line-out and when the opportunity came with a penalty to the right corner, the tactic brought a try for Steve May. No conversion, but with the score at 11-5, and time in the first half running out, Combe were not far enough ahead perhaps to be entirely confident at the turn round. There were chances but they had not been taken. Equally, Wimbledon made sure they kept their defences tight.

Indeed come the re-start, it seemed that the wind had picked up. Combe began with too many mistakes, and a few too many penalties conceded. It was looking a bit ominous. With their place-kicker back on, Wimbledon notched up another three points, and with ten minutes of the half gone, Neil Hallet knocked over his second.11-11. It was Wimbledon’s turn to dominate proceedings, especially at the breakdown. From one turnover on the half-way, Wimbledon centre Noah Jarvis was clear and had the speed and strength to squeeze in at the left-hand corner. A difficult conversion, but slotted by the full-back. 11-18.It could have been more as a third penalty attempt was blown right of the uprights. The visitors were understandably jubilant, but their jubilations were perhaps premature. Had they peaked too early? There were still twenty minutes on the clock, and from now Combe mounted their comeback. It started with a James Cameron penalty, when Wimbledon’s defence was caught out in front of their posts. Frankie Neale made a strong run up the right touchline, Jordan Saunders was on the charge, a chip over by Frankie Neale went dead. The visitors defence was creaking. More pressure from Combe and Shaun Dixon was on hand to crash over. James Cameron converted for 21-18. Injury time and five minutes to go. No mistakes, just play out and away of danger. Combe did so creeping upfield with patience and good ball retention. Wimbledon’s defence was again caught out. Combe’s penalty, kick to the left corner, and drive from there. Two minutes remaining, Combe now with all the momentum. Alex Weighton catches, drive on, ball at the back, backs join in, and James Lindfield can claim the try. No conversion, full time, a stunning comeback, into the clubhouse for a few scoops.

We have now reached the half-way point of the league programme. We have all played everyone else. Combe sit tucked in behind the league leaders only five points adrift, and no team remains unbeaten. Bonus points, and results of course, will be crucial as we begin the return fixtures. The first of these is the away trip next Saturday to Westcliff-on-Sea. There are two Saturdays off for the Christmas and New Year break. The next home game will be 9th January when level-pegging East Grinstead visit. Kick-off 2.00pm.

Westcombe Park XV: F. Neale; J. Birch, A. Hitchcock, D. Bonner, T. Gray; J. Cameron, R. Cattanach; M. Poole, J. Bonner, R. Conlon, T. Clarke, A. Weighton, M. Davey, J. Lindfield, S. Dixon.
Subs: J. Saunders, L. Covington, L. Wendt.

Match reporter – Bruce Mackenzie.