Dorking 52 - Westcombe Park 0

Combe, away to Dorking, were under the cosh again this week. Over fifty points leaked, and none in reply. No one could argue the final scoreline flattered the hosts. True, Combe competed for the first half hour, but were 14-0 down at half-time and then had to face the slope and wind, which on present form was asking a lot, if not a little too much. The sun was out for most of the game, the wind distinctly chilly.

Combe were not off to a good start: yellow card at the kick-off. Apart from one or two shows from Dorking’s midfield, perhaps presaging what was to come, for a while neither side looked like scoring. Combe’s penalty shot at goal after fifteen minutes drifted wide, Dorking were caught just short of Combe’s try line. When they next came close a series of short range efforts were kept out, albeit at the cost of another yellow, but the pressure was on. Dorking could counter attack as well. A charge up the middle found support, first try, followed soon after by a second for out-half Matt Noble who converted both. Half-time with the home side 14-0 up, Combe now had an uphill task.

With the second half only just begun, Combe made a break up the centre but with the ball spilled Dorking were quick to counter, down the right and over. End to end stuff. Again a Combe attack ended with spilled ball, and thereafter it was all the home side. Left winger Oliver Rathbone helped himself to a hat-trick, right winger Thomas Hunt was on the scoresheet, and the last try was an interception for Jasper King.
Combe spilled too much ball when in possession, all the hard work upfront was undone. Combe’s defence had a day off. Three yellow cards did not help either. Combe have not won league points for five weeks, so plenty to work on before the islanders fly in next Saturday.

Next week is the only home game at Goddington Dene in December, such is the fixture card. Combe face Guernsey, kick-off at 2.00pm, with a Supporters’ lunch beforehand.

Westcombe Park XV : B. Bateup; B. Saffery, M. Dowding, D. Bonner, J. Birch; W. Robinson, M. Zanirato; J. Simmons, J. Bonner, J. Forsyth, T. Calohard, T. Christopher, J. Dennett, D. Fox, C. O’Sullivan.
Bench - T. Simmons, L. Delderfield, B. Young.
Match reporter - Bruce Mackenzie.