Combe make Wimbledon work for their win.

Combe gave second placed visitors Wimbledon a scare as they almost pulled off a double over them. The first encounter this season had seen a very close game which Combe just edged. On the return visit Combe pushed Wimbledon all the way to the final whistle, but it was the visitors who claimed the slim victory. For everyone in the stand or on the rails it was another cracking game. The unseasonal conditions helped: it was dry and sunny.

Combe did not get off to a great start, the kick-off going straight to touch, but from the scrum back Combe gave an early indication they might have the stronger set-piece. Wimbledon driven up, penalty to Combe. This allowed Combe to set up in the opposition half and twenty-two, but despite continuity, phases and possession they could not force an opening for points as a reward. Indeed with just over ten minutes gone a Wimbledon penalty took the visitors into the Combe half for the first time. Ominously they came away with points. A drive from a line-out in the corner, and with a penalty advantage skipper Roy Godfrey was at the back of his pack to plunge over. Bryan Croke added the extras. 0-7. Ebb and flow but Combe were being pegged back into their own half. They did get the ball away but after some scrappy play Combe were caught napping as Wimbledon’s right winger, Tommy Moore, scampered clear to the corner. No conversion, but now the visitors were 0-12 up, and with twenty minutes gone it was clearly going to be a tough, long day. Undaunted however, Combe claimed the re-start, drove again and again, creeping closer and closer to the try line until the gap in Wimbledon’s defence appeared. Mark Davey was on hand to break clear, through and over. James Cameron slotted the conversion. 7-12. Next, it was Wimbledon’s turn to lay siege to Combe’s line. Combe kept them out but at a cost: a yellow card and a penalty for Bryan Croke. 7-15. Then it was Combe’s turn on the opposition line, after James Cameron had come close with a mazy run, and the same happened: the defenders conceded a penalty and earned a yellow card in the process. James Cameron obliged off the tee: 10-15 on the stroke of half-time. Combe had clawed a lot of the early deficit back, the game was finely balanced.

For the second half, the sun was still shining and there was all to play for. Both defences would be severely tested. Combe showed the early enterprise with a break out by Shaun Dixon and a run down the right for Bradley Saffery. Frankie Neale had to save the day as Wimbledon countered. A Wimbledon shot at goal went wide. Combe were still full of running but the visitors were conceding nothing. A Combe line-out near the visitors’ line was spilled, but Combe put on a mighty shove at the subsequent scrum, another line-out, more phases, Tommy Gray goes then Alex Campbell, until finally quick ball spun right and with Frankie Neale straightening his run he is in at the corner. James Cameron’s conversion attempt hit the upright. Score 15-15, and ten minutes left on the clock. Wimbledon want a win, so do Combe. The visitors attack left but a poor final pass means it comes to nothing, Combe’s pack is still firing at scrum time, a win against the head but the ball then spilled, Wimbledon counter, Combe are penalised. This is mid-field, forty metres out, kickable. Bryan Croke succeeds, 15-18. The visitors are happy but cannot relax. With less than five minutes on the clock Combe are desperate for one last effort. They claim the re-start, big scrum, they win a penalty, kick to the corner, big drive, Alex Campbell is close, and Charlie Edwards closer, but Wimbledon withstand the onslaught and survive. A cracking game.

Next week is the re-arranged Shelford fixture away, then Sutton and Epsom away. There are only two home games left, 11th March when Guildford visit, and 1st April when Colchester visit. Combe are playing some very good rugby, so don’t miss any opportunity of seeing all the action.

Westcombe Park XV : F. Neale; B. Saffery, A. Hitchcock, D. Bonner, T. Gray; J. Cameron, C. Edwards; R. Conlon, J. Bonner, J. Forsyth, T. Clarke, C. O’Sullivan, M. Davey, S. Dixon, A. Campbell.

Subs: L. Covington, I. Ajayi, S. Pursell.

Match reporter - Bruce Mackenzie.