Combe fall short at Shelford

A strange game: one of two halves and just two scores, few chances and three cards. Combe have yet to win at The Peacocks’ Davey Field.

It was overcast but dry, soft going underfoot. It was going to be a bit of a mudfest. Indeed it was hard going from the start, with neither side managing to manufacture a clear break or dent in the gain line. Even-stevens upfront, and at the breakdown. A day to show off defensive qualities. Few chances indeed. Combe did have two penalty kicks to touch but both fell short and the opportunities to use subsequent position or possession went begging. Playing a man short for ten minutes did not help either. The first half stalemate was brought to a swift end. Any money-paying punter might have thought themselves short-changed. 0-0.

Combe seemed to have dominated the first half certainly in terms of position as it seemed the hosts had hardly got into the Combe 22. At the turn round it was there for either side to win. Combe might have fancied their chances if only they could get the scoreboard moving. They did so within five minutes when Shelford were caught offending in front of their own posts. A straightforward chance for James Cameron, not one he would miss. 0-3. From then on, though, it seemed like it was all Shelford. The home side now spent most of the time in the Combe half, and they pounded the Combe line. They might have scored by the posts had they not dropped the ball with the line at their mercy. Combe played another ten minutes with a man short, and although the defence was holding up the pressure was relentless. The clock was ticking and with ten minutes to go the home crowd in the stand sensed a winning score in the offing and roared on their support. Just when Combe were back to their full complement, another card was shown, and from the ensuing penalty, although Combe defended the first phase Combe were backtracking and the Peacocks’ centre Warrick Anderson was over by the posts for a try converted by Josh Naylor. The barely troubled scoreboard was called into action for the second, and as it turned out, last time. 3-7.

Next week Combe host Hertford, another difficult game. Kick-off at Goddington Dene 2.00pm.

Westcombe Park XV: T. Gray; J. Penney, A. Hitchcock, D. Bonner, S. Randle; J. Cameron, R. Cattanach; M. Poole, J. Bonner, R. Conlon, T. Clarke, L. Bellinger, J. Lindfield, L. Covington, S. Dixon.
Subs: J. Snape, M. Davey, B. Bateup.

Match reporter – Bruce Mackenzie.