For large parts of the game Combe dominated position and possession, which was not translated into points, as visitors Chi, for the most part held out, and would look threatening on the counter. A rusty, nervy start to the campaign for both sides. A pity as the conditions were good, albeit with a strong breeze from the clubhouse end, and the sizeable crowd were looking forward to some rugby action after the summer break. For Combe there were a few new faces alongside the regulars. Let’s play.

Although Combe came close to going over in the corner early on, it was soon evident they would have the better of Chi at the set piece, and this would set the pattern for the day. But too often possession was slow and laboured. Then ten minutes of action and with it some excitement. Chi cleared, quick lineout, Combe caught napping, and prop Tom Belcher cantered in at the corner. No conversion. 0-5. Combe’s reply was immediate. Bradley Bateup from his left wing into the line, to Frankie Neale in space then making space for debutant Bradley Saffery to score in the corner. James Cameron’s conversion attempt was deceptively close. 5-5. Chi’s response was equally immediate. Centre Rhys Thompson made a zig-zag run up the middle without being stopped and was able to give a scoring pass to Belcher, in at the corner for his second. No conversion. 5-10. Combe won the re-start and a penalty which James Cameron put over for 8-10. Chi’s penalty attempt in reply hit the upright. That’s the first quarter gone. The second quarter seemed entirely taken up with a series of drives, scrums, penalties, yellow cards as Combe camped on the opposition line. But crucially no score. Chi withstood the onslaught despite the two man disadvantage. Perhaps Combe were also guilty of faulty decision making. 8-10 going into the interval.

Although now into the breeze, Combe began the second half playing mostly in opposition territory thanks to their continuing domination upfront, but to their own frustration, as well as for their supporters, they could not make the breakthrough, nor get the scoreboard moving. There was a lot of whistle-blowing and a number of scrummages to endure. Into the last quarter Chi are in Combe’s 22, but right-wing Bradley Saffery is onto the ball and streaks up the right-hand touch. He has Lee Covington in support, quick interchange, and the debutant is over for his second score in the corner. James Cameron does well to convert from the touchline. 15-10. Into the very last minutes the match is not quite finished. Combe are pressing in Chi’s 22, win a penalty in front of the posts, and James Cameron obliges. 18-10. Last minute, again Chi are pegged back but a speculative kick-out from their 22, the ball caught up in the wind and bouncing awkwardly for Combe’s defence, Chi’s follow-up is quickly onto it and round towards the posts to make the conversion possible. 18-17. Hold on, still time on the clock, but fortunately not enough for Combe to make any more errors. With the final play James Cameron boots the ball into touch.

Chi with very little ball had caught Combe out on the counter three times and had come close to an away win for themselves. This is going to be a tough league, and Combe will have to have ironed out their faults before next week’s encounter away at last season’s title chasers Tonbridge Juddians. Combe’s next home game is against Guernsey on 17th September. N.B. This is a 2.30pm kick-off.

Westcombe Park XV: F. Neale; B. Bateup, B. Hennah, D. Bonner, B. Saffery; J. Cameron, N. Hill; J. Saunders, J. Bonner, J. Forsyth, T. Clarke, T. Christopher, M. Davey, L. Covington, C. O’Sullivan.
Subs. : M. Poole, A. Campbell, C. del Moro.

Match reporter - Bruce Mackenzie.