Combe recover from early setbacks to overcome Hertford courtesy of an Ant Hitchcock Hat Trick

Hertford started brightly and finished strongly but were undone during a 30 minute spell in the middle of the game when Combe’s backs ran in four unanswered tries including a hat-trick for Ant Hitchcock. The boot of James Cameron was pivotal, slotting 4 conversions and 3 penalties at critical moments.

Conditions weren’t exactly conducive to open rugby. The pitch was soft, the ball greasy and there was a chill breeze gusting from the clubhouse. Definitely a day for winter woollies and a hip flask.

Combe attacked from the start but made little headway, save for a solitary James Cameron penalty after 10 mins, due to a string of handling errors and misdemeanours at the breakdown. Herts on the other hand were clinical and scored on the two occasions they broke into the Combe half. Firstly a kick ahead from wing Paddy Kelly saw him outpace the Combe defence to score after 5 mins and ten minutes later Joshua McFarlane jinked through almost unopposed to score between the posts. Both tries were converted by Stewart Smart; 3-14 after just 15 mins. The conditions were now affecting both teams and the game became scrappy and error strewn with neither side gaining any real momentum. Combe, in particular, were getting on the wrong side of the referee culminating in a stern warning. However, the home side were having some success running from deep and this eventually bore fruit as Frankie Neale gathered a Herts kick ahead and attacked up the centre with James Lindfield making further inroads. The ball was quickly recycled and Ant Hitchcock stepped inside for a try, converted by James Cameron; 10-14 after 30 mins. Now Herts were getting on the wrong side of the referee, conceding two penalties in succession wide out on the right on halfway. Both were converted by James Cameron and Combe were in front 16-14. Herts heads dropped and from a catch and drive Sam Randle was over for a try, converted by James Cameron, giving Combe a 23-14 lead at half time.

With the wind now at their backs Herts took the game to Combe from the start of the second half pinning them back for long periods but without really threatening the Combe line due to staunch defence and a litany of errors. Combe continued to run the ball whenever they could and from a scrum on their own line Sam Randle broke away only to be hauled down. From the ensuing Herts counter attack Ant Hitchcock intercepted and ran in to score between the posts from half way. From the re-start Combe worked the ball to the left corner and from recycled ball Ant Hitchcock scored again for his hat-trick. James Cameron converted both tries for Combe to lead 37-14 on the hour mark.

However, Herts were far from beaten, and they laid siege to the Combe line. Tempers began to fray with handbags in evidence. There were three yellow cards, one for Herts, two for Combe. With Combe a man down for the last ten minutes their defence finally succumbed to Herts pressure. David Archer drove over from short range, converted by Stewart Smart and Paddy Kelly scored his second try wide out at the death. The final score was 37-26 to Combe for maximum points.

London Irish look to be favourites for the automatic promotion spot but Combe, TJ’s and East Grinstead are in the mix for the play-off place. This gives the next league fixture away to TJ’s in a fortnight much greater importance than local bragging rights. Anticipate a blue and white invasion. Next Saturday Combe are away to Dover in the Kent Cup.

Westcombe Park XV: F. Neale, T. Gray, A. Hitchcock, D. Bonner, S. Randle, J. Cameron, R. Cattenach, R. Conlon, J. Bonner, M. Poole, T. Clarke, K. Coulter, J. Lindfield, L. Bellinger, S. Dixon. Subs : J. Snape, L. Covington, B. Hennah.

Match reporter – Franklin Pastry.