Westcombe Park Pay the Price for Losing Control

Barnes came to Goddington Dene, Orpington and narrowly won the relegation battle in National League Two (South). They dominated the second half to an extent that should have given them more than a single point victory but it was enough to inflict on Westcombe Park their seventh consecutive defeat.
Only Rosslyn Park, this week's opponents, Lydney, Worthing and Henley have not beaten Combe this season and we are now in serious need of some wins if this season is not to implode on us and thank God our finest displays have been against the better teams. It all started rather well for the home side, Westcombe Park scoring a try in the first minute and adding a second fifteen minutes later. New boy Vince Booiman outstripping the defence for the first and Chris Lewis being on hand for the off load for the second. Lee Audis managed to convert the second for a twelve—nil lead.
Despite some enterprising rugby from both sides, with Barnes more intent on running and Combe prepared to grind it out, it looked like that would be the score at half-time as the only chance of a score had been a feeble attempt at a penalty from Barnes.
With a minute left of the half Westcombe Park were reduced to 14 for a technical foul and from the restart, deep inside Combe's 22, Barnes bundled the ball forward and crossed the line in a welter of players with Guy Gavan emerging as the one with the touchdown. Despite his earlier effort, Warren Gower was not to put a foot wrong for the rest of the match, so the interval score was 12—7.
In the second half, Barnes had close to ninety per cent of the territorial advantage and nearly as much possession and it took them just four minutes to hit the front.
Again it was Gavan who scored the try but this time much more in traditional mode for a winger. Gower kicked the first of two impressive kicks for the conversion and a few minutes later added a penalty to take the score initially to 12—14 and then to 12—17.
There were still 28 minutes left and it would only take a Combe breakout to level the scores, but it never happened. Barnes fly-half Gareth William-Davies and scrum half Ross Blake dominated the game for Barnes and Westcombe Park had difficulty in emerging for any length of time from their 22 let alone their half until the fly-half dropped a goal to increase Barnes lead to 20—12.
From the restart, with just five minutes left, Combe mounted an attack that went through several phases until full-back Graham Purdy came into the line to cross for a try which Audis kicked well to convert and the score was now within a point.
Despite one or two real efforts in the dieing minutes Combe were unable to close the narrow gap to leave Barnes worthy winners.
Westcombe Park: Graham Purdy; Jonan Boto, Vincent Booiman, Maso Bowles, Chris Lewis; Lee Audis, Nigel Southcombe; James Green, Dave Brooks, Ross Denton; John Chance, David Watkins; Doug Abbott, James Lindfield, Gareth Inches. Replacements: Dean Sole, Tim Kavanagh, Will Thorpe, James Catlin, Niki Davies.
Rosslyn Park visit Goddington Dene this week and without a fixture on the 13th February, the following game will also be at home with Richmond the opponents. Match Reporter: Mike Attewell.