Combe chastised by Chi.

Combe never really got going, and once on top the home side stepped up and kept up the pressure on the visitors. The travelling support may have been disappointed, but there was plenty to cheer for Chi. The conditions were good – at last some spring sunshine and the going firm underfoot.

Chi kicked off towards the clubhouse, and once in the Combe 22 camped there for the first quarter. Chi came close with a run on the right, had a line-out, five metres out, a scrum five metres out, a penalty five metres out. Something would give as Combe’s defence was stretched and tested. Indeed it came, second phase, pick up and stretch, try for Aaron Davies, near the posts, converted by Richard Adams. Stalemate for a while, a solitary visit to the Chi 22 for Combe, at last they are getting their hands on the ball and stringing some continuity together, but for all that the Chi defence is up to it. Chi’s Henry Anscombe knocks over a penalty from the centre spot for 10-0, and soon after they are spinning the ball right and winger Tom Jackson, given room to move, is over for a try in the corner. With the half drawing to a close a solitary penalty for James Cameron gets Combe’s part of the scoreboard moving but at 15-3 down, it ls beginning to look like a mountain to climb after the turn round. Combe have been denied ball, put on the back foot: essentially outplayed.

The second half could not have started better for Chi. In the first minute, first attack, taking a pass back inside, Tom Jackson is clean through and over for his second. No conversion, but Chi now lead 20-3, and they keep the pressure on. Combe have to re-shuffle the backs as James Cameron limps off, Chi enjoy a series of scrums five metres out from Combe’s line. Eventually they get quick ball, that man Jackson on a short pass is clean through and off-loads to Jack Maslen on his shoulder to score by the posts. Anscombe converts 27-3. There is more to come. Chi are remorseless. Richard Adams, chips and collects to touch down by the posts, converts with a drop-kick and Chi are out of sight now, 34-3 with still about twenty minutes left on the clock. What saves Combe from further torment is a period of ragged play as both sides ring the changes and perhaps begin to flag. Combe plug away and at last get over the line, Kyle Coulter from short range and second phase. Frank Reynolds converts. 34-10, there are only five minutes left which Combe survive without any further damage done, and perhaps some lessons learnt.

Next week Combe are at home to Eton Manor, kick-off 3.00pm.

Westcombe Park XV : F. Reynolds; J. Birch, A. Hitchcock, D. Bonner, S. Randle; J. Cameron, R. Cattanach; M. Poole, J. Bonner, R. Conlon, T. Clarke, K. Coulter, J. Lindfield, L. Covington, M. Davey.
Subs. : N. Porter, L. Bellinger, B. Bateup.

Match reporter - Bruce Mackenzie.