If there was any consolation to reward a gutsy performance home side, it was that visitors Dorking elected to kick a penalty on the 78th minute mark to secure the win rather than go for the try to secure a bonus point. That the visitors did score that fourth try of the game only rubbed a bit of salt into Combe's wounds.

It had started so well for Westcombe Park. In what were frankly appalling conditions to play Rugby, Combe had a shot at goal as early as the 2nd minutes. The kick missed but Dorking failed to deal with the ball in the in goal area with a resulting 5m scrum and Combe's put in. Combe's pack got a significant nudge on, allowing Combe man of the Match Nick Cook to pick up from the base and storm over for the try which Alex Miller converted in the swirling wind.

Dorking came back quickly and, from a forward surge, got in at the corner for the score a couple of minutes later. The difficult kick was missed leaving WPRFC 7-5 to the good.

And that was the way it stayed for near enough the next hour. The only item of note was a yellow card for the visitors but Combe couldn't take advantage in what was becoming an error strewn contest.

The visitors broke the deadlock after 63 minutes, when Combe's defence failed to hold out a Dorking thrust down the left and scored to take the lead for the first time. Yellow cards for both sides was the next bit of excitement followed by a third try for the visitors scored after some close quarter defence from Combe. The conversion extended the lead to 17-7 and then came the penalty and try for Dorking leaving Combe trailing in at 7-25.

A closer game than the score-line would suggest and, for the second match running, a pivotal score around the hour mark. The league has a week-end off this Saturday which allows a longer period for the Goddington Dene side to lick its wounds and build confidence for the trip to Tring.

As a postscript I've placed a picture of the late John Bellinger and past Chairman to acknowledge we have started to use the new pitch outside the clubhouse which his bequest helped to fund and will be named appropriately "The John Bellinger Pitch".

JV