Combe did not enjoy the first half. Not only was there a bitter cold wind, but cards and injuries caused chaos in the ranks, and a slender lead 9-0 at the break was not convincing. They picked up in the second half, better discipline, better focus, running in three tries, all converted, and one more penalty from the reliable boot of James Cameron.
Visitors Sutton and Epsom had a consolation score at the final whistle.
It had all started quite brightly, S & E kicked off straight into touch, perhaps misjudging the wind. With barely five minutes on the clock both tight-heads had their marching orders. Foul play started it, and the follow-up did for the other. S & E were in the Combe half, they had possession but were not threatening. Combe could clear their lines lead by Reece Conlon, Ant Hitchcock and Shaun Dixon, setting up James Cameron for his first shot at goal. 3-0. Matt Poole was clearing up some messy line-out work and made good ground up the left. Second strike for James Cameron. 6-0. Combe’s line-out and a rumble came close. Third strike for James Cameron. 9-0, twenty-five minutes gone. Then it began to unravel. Combe spilled the re-start, were back-pedalling, the visitors’ winger was almost through, yellow card for Combe, and injury to Matt Poole, so uncontested scrums, S & E only five yards out. But Combe held firm, won the turnover, and cleared. But the visitors came again. This was overtime, the half-time whistle could not come soon enough.
The interval gave Combe time to re-group and re-assess. James Cameron knocked over another penalty. 12-0. Frankie Neale was half-through a gap, Charlie O’Sullivan made the first of his breaks from the back of the scrum, Ant Hitchcock and Bradley Bateup carried on the good work. Combe had certainly picked up the pace. Bradley Bateup fielded in his own half ran it back, quick re-cycled ball and Tommy Gary was clear on the right to run in and round towards the posts, not that James Cameron needs the conversion attempt to be that much easier. 19-0. Now the last quarter. Nathan Thomas is on and immediately making his mark, winning line-out and breakdown ball. Then all of a sudden he picks up on the half-way is in the clear and streaks away to score by the posts. James Cameron is not missing today. 26-0. Five minutes later Combe have a penalty, so kick to the left corner. From the ruck Charlie Edwards dummies and is almost to the line, but he has Nathan Thomas on hand who has Tom Clarke on hand to drive over for Combe’s third try. James Cameron obliges with the extras. 33-0. There is still time on the clock, and Combe are anxious to chase the bonus point, but the visitors are still competing. They hold out and counter. Combe look to have defended the threat, but S & E have the numbers and support and with swift inter-passing centre Pete Matthews is through by the posts for a try converted by Henry Jones. Full time. 33-7.
This result combined with Hertford's loss at Dorking moves Combe up a place into 2nd in the table two points behind league leaders Tonbridge Juddians. The league programme continues on 19th November with Combe away to Guildford, and 26th November Combe are at home to Hertford. Plenty of good rugby to look forward to.
Westcombe Park XV: B. Bateup; B. Saffery, F. Neale, A. Hitchcock, T. Gray; J. Cameron, C. Edwards; M. Poole, S. Perry, N. Porter, T. Clarke, M. Davey, S. Dixon, L. Covington, C. O’Sullivan.
Subs: R. Conlon, N. Thomas, H. Sansbury.
*Match reporter - Bruce Mackenzie.
*Franklin Pastry is unwell.