Combe too strong for TJ’s

Combe’s travelling support were anticipating a severe test. Combe had made several changes in the outsides since last week’s narrow win and were looking to translate a solid platform upfront into more points, if possible, this time out. Indeed they did so. Combe’s pack completely dominated the home side, and thus denied them any decent ball with which to play. Conditions were good at the kick-off, with a wind across the pitch from the riverside, but rain was forecast for the second half.

Within five minutes TJ’s had the first points on the board. On half-way a speculative grubber bounced favourably for winger James Copsey to collect and gallop round to the posts to offer an easy conversion opportunity for Tom Simmonds. 7-0 to the home side. Soon after they had a penalty shot at goal to add to their lead but the effort was short, and perhaps that became their last scoring opportunity. Thereafter Combe stayed in the opposition half. Drives from short range were held out, ball spun right but TJ’s concede the penalty. Combe are probing and threatening, TJ’s are under pressure to get the ball away. Thirty minutes gone, TJ’s spill the ball in centre field, with Mark Davey the disruptive influence, it is scooped up by Tommy Gray who is away and clear to the line. No conversion, 7-5.Combe are on the scoreboard. The pressure is mounting, the wind picking up. Combe have two long shot penalty attempts to keep TJ’s pegged back but without adding to the scoreline. They finish the half strongly, behind but in charge. Some more points to show for it would be good.

Immediately at the re-start TJ’s went one man short, and Combe pressed in the opposition half. Tom Clarke, Lee Covington, Mark Davey, then Joe Bonner and Bradley Saffery up the right hand side. TJ’s defended up to, onto and over the brink. Conceding penalties and with their scrum in disarray TJ’s were under the cosh. Combe pushed TJ’s off their own ball, Charlie O’Sullivan picked up, and from the next phase Tom Christopher took a short ball and found Ant Hitchcock steaming up on his right shoulder to take the scoring pass. James Cameron did well to knock over the conversion form wide out. 7-12. About half an hour to go. From the re-start Tom Christopher again on a rampaging run with Lee Covington in support, and again desperate defence by TJ’s who had to go a man short once more. So more pressure on the home side, more penalties, and more one-sided scrums. Combe could do with a few more points though, just to keep them clear. With ten minutes to go those points came. Combe’s penalty, kick into the TJ’s 22 on the left, line-out, drive, flat ball from Charlie Edwards who found Tommy Gray on a straight run to the line. No conversion, but at 7-17 Combe were two scores ahead, and could with some comfort play out the remaining minutes. This week the dominance was translated into points and the win was more convincing. Combe proved too strong for TJ’s.

Next week Combe are at home to Guernsey, who similarly have got off to a winning start this season. There is a lunch beforehand, but please note it is a 2.30pm kick-off.

Westcombe Park XV: F. Neale; T. Gray, B. Saffery, A. Hitchcock, T. Dowding; J. Cameron, C. Edwards; N. Porter, J. Bonner, J. Forsyth, T. Clarke, T. Christopher, M. Davey, L. Covington, C. O’Sullivan.
Subs : J. Stanford, C. Del Moro, B. Bateup.

Match reporter - Bruce Mackenzie.