Combe undone by Dons

Combe’s form of late has wobbled, and Wimbledon took advantage with first use of the elements and the slope. Combe were pegged back in their own half, if not their own twenty-two, for much of the first period, but had done well to keep the hosts to just a solitary score at half-time. Combe might be able to turn it around after the interval…………

Overcast, a bit of wind, a good crowd, after a good lunch, on the touchline. The Dons had Combe on the back foot from the start. A penalty award in the first minute went wide, but come the second award a minute later the Dons out-half Brian Croke had had his sighter and could stroke this effort over, 3-0. It looked ominous for Combe as the Dons scrumhalf went clear from a ruck on the centre spot only to be hauled down in the corner. Combe’s line was under siege, but was holding. It was all Wimbledon, until they were shoved off their own ball at a five yard scrum under the posts. Combe cleared and enjoyed a couple of forays into opposition territory. No further scores though. The first half was shortly over.

At the re-start it was Combe’s turn with the elements. Frankie Neale found a bit of space down the left. A slick line-out and slick hands released Tommy Gray on the right, quick hands from Reece Conlon put Lee Covington almost clear, Ant Hitchcock was nearly through, Joe Birch had a couple of runs, but the home defence was up to it, their turn to hold firm. Then from a line-out on halfway, Dons second row Dylan Flashman won the ball and set off for the corner. He almost made it without being stopped, but No.8 Jimmy Hughes was on his shoulder to take the scoring pass. Brian Croke converted. The Dons 10-0 up going into the last quarter. Combe struck back. James Lindfield picked out of a ruck on the Dons twenty-two, down the left, found Luke Bellinger in support who, with a deft off-load found Dave Bonner outside him to squeeze in at the corner. No conversion, 10-5. The home side replied with a Brian Croke penalty in front of the posts. 13-5. Five minutes to go. Combe’s penalty to the left corner, they win the line-out, quick ball and miss-passes, Ant Hitchcock into space to score out on the right. James Cameron’s conversion hits the wrong side of the upright. 13-10, with barely a minute to go. The Dons charge upfield and at last one of Brian Croke’s cross-field kicks comes off as winger Tom Moore just wins the race for the touchdown in the right corner. 18-10. No conversion, but that hardly bothers the home side and their supporters. Game, set, and match.
So next Saturday is the final league game of the season. Combe are at home to Bracknell, the opposition in the opening game. Much has happened since. Old Crocks’ Lunch and Ladies’ Day events beforehand. The match kicks off at 3.00pm. Prepare for a long day.

Westcombe Park XV : F. Neale; T. Gray, A. Hitchcock, D. Bonner, J. Birch; J. Cameron, R. Cattanach; R. Conlon, J. Bonner, N. Porter, T. Clarke, K. Coulter, L. Bellinger, L. Covington, S. Dixon.
Subs. : J. Snape, J. Lindfield, B. Bateup.

Match reporter : Bruce Mackenzie.