Summer may be over, what with rain the night before, and rain during the game, but there was plenty of running rugby on show. Two tries came from interceptions, but the foundations for the win had been laid by the pack. Combe finished strongly. In the second half, they got on top and stayed on top: twenty-two points without reply.

Combe opened with a James Cameron penalty in the first minute, after the pack had shown early signs they would dominate the set piece. 3-0. Shelford busied away, working up the touchline and winning penalties, but Combe’s defence held. A breakout led by Frankie Neale and Tommy Gray came close, then a straight run by Ben Hennah, taken on by Sam Perry, ball spun left and Frankie Neale stretched over for Combe’s first try, converted by James Cameron. 8-0, after twenty minutes. Then five minutes of mayhem. Combe were giving away too many penalties and with one man short Shelford at the line-out took advantage with second row Dave Hill cantering in from twenty-five metres out. Conversion by Mike Gillick. 8-7. After the re-start Combe, with a penalty, kicked to touch from their twenty-two to Shelford’s, but did not find it. Full back Simon Hrbeck gathered and set off upfield, made good ground and found Richie McIver in support who sauntered in to score under the posts. Try converted 8-14. Combe hit back with another James Cameron penalty. Minutes later with Shelford in possession and pressing, Frankie Neale intercepts on half-way and passes to Tom Dowding on his right to finish it off. Try converted, 20-14. In the final minutes of the half, Charlie Edwards and Tommy Gary look to have put Josh Livett clear but are called back. A penalty shot at goal drifts wide. But for giving away too many penalties Combe are looking good value.

The second half starts well. Combe are now winning penalties. Jordan Saunders, Josh Livett, and Lee Covington pave the way into Shelford half and their twenty-two. Combe’s put-in, five metres out, penalty second scrum, Charlie Edwards on the blindside finds Tom Dowding who is over for his second. No conversion, 25-14. It’s raining. Now Shelford are close to Combe’s line, but again an interception, this time by Tom Dowding, with his fingertips, and all he has to do is run the length of the field and touch down right of the posts. A bonus point for Combe’s fourth try. Conversion by James Cameron, 32-14. A Combe penalty just inside the Shelford half, stroked over by James Cameron. 35-14. Combe are on top and determined to stay so. A line-out drive led by Mark Davey and Jimi Stanford is stopped short. Close range efforts by Matt Poole, Mark Davey, Jimi Stanford and Charlie Edwards, then Bradley Bateup is half through: Shelford are holding out, just. Into the final minutes, out on the right Combe push Shelford off their own ball, cross field kick, Josh Livett is felled as he gathers. It’s a red card to Shelford and a penalty try to Combe. James Cameron converts with Josh Livett still on the ground receiving attention. Final whistle, 42-14.

Next week Combe travel to Amersham and Chiltern. Then a week off and rugby returns to Goddington Dene on 22nd October, with Dorking the visitors, kick-off 3.00pm.

Westcombe Park XV: J. Livett; T. Dowding, F. Neale, B. Hennah, T. Gray; J. Cameron, C. Edwards; J. Saunders, S. Perry, J. Forsyth, T. Clarke, C. O’Sullivan, M. Davey, L. Covington, A. Campbell.
Subs: J. Stanford, M. Poole, B. Bateup.
Match reporter - Bruce Mackenzie.