The return of competitive rugby to Goddington Dene after an eighteen month absence brought a large crowd to witness an entertaining match in which the home side ran out winners 38-28. There was an understandable festive atmosphere at the ground with a brass band playing, Combe blazers and old familiar faces in abundance. To say that the beer flowed would be an understatement and the stack of empty barrels outside the clubhouse bore testament to a good day had by all. Sutton and Epsom were the visitors and provided some doughty opposition especially early on.

The rugby also matched the festive spirit in the air with both sides not showing much rust after such a lengthy lay-off. Nine tries were scored in all with Combe scoring six of them. Winger Jed Hamilton, brother of Dan, slotted two of them as did openside Sean Beckett. No 8 Nick Cook and captain Harry Sansbury picked up the other two. The pick of the bunch was Hamilton's second deep into the second half. Hancock took a neat catch from a clearance kick out wide on the left. He backed this up with a chip and gather to beat the defence, fed inside to Hamilton who ran in from 30 metres. The score also put WPRFC 15 points clear and effectively settled any touchline nerves about a Sutton and Epsom comeback.

The visitors opened the scoring with a couple of penalties and a try and were leading on the half hour mark and then level with 5 minutes of the half remaining . S&E RFC were also edging the scrums and hooker Jack Howes was leading his pack to good effect. Yet the pendulum was to swing in Combe's favour when Howes saw yellow for taking out Matt Hancock and Combe, through Beckett, scored from the lineout following the penalty. A further score from Cook saw Combe lead 23-16 at half time.

Combe started to gain ascendancy in the tight as the second half progressed and the visitors cause wasn't helped by two further yellow cards. Combe were also depleted when a yellow card and penalty try were awarded for an indiscretion in the red zone. Combe then eased out in front with that brace from Hamilton and a second from Beckett and at 38-23 were nearly home and dry. It is to the visitors' credit that they had the last word with a try bang on the final whistle but had to return round the M25 empty handed despite their strong start.

Just what the doctor ordered as far as the Goddington Dene side are concerned; a win, a try bonus point and a good workout from a strong Sutton and Epsom side who will cause other teams their share of problems. Combe are away next week to neighbours Sevenoaks who will, as ever, be keen to win local bragging rights.

Man of the match: Sean Beckett