Cobham RFC 27-24 Westcombe Park RFC

A flurry of penalties conceded in the 2nd half, of which 4 were expertly kicked, condemned Combe to a second defeat of the season. The visitors outscored their hosts by 4 tries to 2 but a lack of discipline cost Combe dear. That Cobham managed to win the game despite being down to 14 men for most of the second half is testament to their never say die attitude.

Westcombe Park started brightly and had Cob trapped in the corner for the opening phases of the game. Pressure told after 8 minutes when Combe's lineout produced good ball and slick passes from Harrison and Wilkins fed prolific winger Hamilton for the score close to the posts. Harrison added the conversion. 15 minutes had passed when the home side went down to 14 men for the first time when a promising attack was halted with an illegal slap down of the ball and a yellow card the outcome.
As is often the case this seemed to inspire Cobham and they camped in and around Combe's 22 putting together an impressive number of phases. Combe were forced to infringe and the first of those 5 Cobham penalties sailed between the posts.

Combe had their own penalty chance after 32 minutes when Cob were caught offside after a number of Combe thrusts but the kick was unsuccessful. 5 minutes later Cob scored in the corner following a good run from their centre which was halted illegally and then an attack which flirted with the touchline. The difficult conversion went over and Cob led 10-7. The homeside extended their lead right on halftime when they constructed a number of effective phases and out manoeuvred the Combe defence wide right for the score.

Half time Cobham 15-7 Combe

The half started with a bang and a second yellow for Cobham when the same player slapped at a ball to prevent a Combe attack getting through. The yellow thus became red and Combe had the man advantage for nearly the whole second half. They put this advantage to good use quickly. One attack was held up over the line and, from the ensuing scrum, the ball was switched to winger Lespierre who scored out wide. The conversion was missed. 10 minutes later Combe retook the lead when a quick scrum heel gave standoff Harrison the time and space to judge his kick through to perfection. Hamilton was on the same wavelength and raced on to collect and score his second try. The successful conversion put Combe 19-15in the lead.

Combe's discipline was starting to fray as Cob made light of their reduction in numbers. 2 kickable penalties were conceded on 56 and 62 minutes and Cobham were back in the lead. But only for a minute or so as the homeside messed up a re-start collection and the ever alert Hamilton raced through to grab the ball and complete his hat-trick and secure at least one bonus point for Combe.

But Combe ill discipline continued to give Cobham hope as the match entered its closing phases. The scores were levelled when the visitors were caught offside yet again in kicking distance with just over 10 minutes to play. The last 10 minutes belonged to the homeside as they pressed for the win and,for a final time with the clock veering towards the red, Westcombe Park were caught offside in front of the posts. The goal was scored with the final kick of the game and Cobham celebrated a gutsy win.

A great win for a courageous Cobham side who made light of their lack of numbers throughout that second period. Combe will rue their overall discipline and will need to up their accuracy when Havant visit Goddington Dene on Saturday 7 December after this Saturday's rest day.

Report: John Vallely