Combe left it late but scrambled a very late win, complete with bonus point to deny visitors London Cornish a result. For much of the game neither side looked like scoring as stubborn defences kept play between the two twenty-twos. Perhaps clidgy underfoot but the sun shone, it was dry, a slight wind but cold nonetheless. A fortuitous try and various penalty awards had brought some scoreboard activity and going into the last quarter it looked like Cornish at 3-13 ahead, would claim victory. Combe supporters who had resisted the temptation to return to the warmth of the clubhouse were treated to a final fifteen minutes of up-tempo class rugby in complete contrast to what had been served up beforehand. The visiting support were stunned, well - Combe’s were as well.
Combe played towards the clubhouse at the start, and from a charge down and then a run from Dan Hamilton, they came close enough to earn first points with a penalty from Harvey Young. Thereafter it was Cornish with most of the possession. Their lineout catch and drive was spilled but they had a penalty, knocked over by Dan Phoenix to level the scores. Another penalty and Cornish were in front. Fierce tackling kept the visitors out, likewise Combe’s attacks were blunted although Tony Sprangers and Bryan Young almost found their way through. Nearing the end of the half Combe pounded the visitors’ try line, but no points. Another trade mark Bryan Young diagonal run was stopped close. Cornish kicked long to clear away, it bounced just inside on the half-way. Their alert winger gathered and passed inside to full-back Ed Carne who trotted over untouched. Conversion, Cornish up 3-13, and chuffed, Combe confused and behind. Half-time.
If Combe were going to get back in the game there were several issues to correct: reduce the penalty count, get hands on the ball, move it wide, up the tempo, get the line-out working. Not an exhaustive list but a start. However both sides served up much of what had gone before. Unyielding defences were winning the day. No change to the scoreboard until into the last quarter. Combe’s penalty for a high tackle, quickly taken, Cornish back-pedalling and Combe’s flanker Sean Beckett was in the clear and over. No conversion. 8-13. Then Harry Sansbury charging up the right draws his man and gives the inside pass to Matt Harrison fresh off the bench who is over. No conversion. 13-13. But then up the other end Cornish have a penalty. Phoenix not in the mood to miss. 13-16. Have Combe blown it? No. Matt Harrison opens up the Cornish defence, combines with Harvey Young and receives a scoring pass to dot down for his second this time nearer the posts allowing the latter to convert. 20-16. Three or four minutes remain. Combe might just have edged this, but are not satisfied. This late burst of activity has fired them up. They win a scrum penalty, Harry Sansbury, Dan Hamilton, Matt Harrison and others make deep inroads and when the ball is spread left Brad Saffery is over in the corner, for a bonus point try. No conversion. 25-16. Final whistle.
Perhaps the visitors could feel unlucky with the result, but on reflection for most of the game they had not looked like scoring. Nor for that matter, but for the last quarter, had Combe. Combe’s generosity in the penalty count had allowed the visitors to look like likely victors, but they had not reckoned for the last quarter. Nor had Combe’s support on the rails and in the stand.
Good to see the skipper back on the park in action and also a couple of debutants. Next week Combe travel to Thurrock, never an easy trip. If you are going check the kick-off time on the web sites as at the moment it is carded for 3.00pm. Who knows, Combe might start where they finished off!
Westcombe Park XV: H. Sansbury; D. Hamilton, B. Saffery, M. Wilkins, B. Young; H. Young; T. Sprangers; L. Murphy-Wooldridge, J. Simmons, T. Simmons, C. O’Sullivan, C. Tallis, A. Devane, P. Johnson.
Bench: J. McKeown, R. Hackett, M. Harrison.
Match reporter - Bruce Mackenzie.