Westcombe Park had to battle until the 78th minute of this game before finally getting on the scoreboard. By then the Vikings of North Walsham had plundered six tries, three in each half to consign Combe to a fruitless journey to the East. If the phrase Carpe Diem were to be translated to the rugby pitch it would of necessity refer to seizing opportunity in your opponents 22. That Combe had at least twelve meaningful incursions into North Walsham’s danger zone only to leave unrewarded serves to underline how apt the phrase is to rugby.
Combe had made all the running in the opening phases and had already been in the Vikings’ 22 on three occasions in the first 10 minutes. Despite coughing up a number of penalties the home defence stood firm. North Walsham progressively got into the match which was becoming pretty physical as both sides were tested defensively.
Combe were first to expose a crack when a line out went astray and the slick back-line of the home side pounced to open the scoring on 28 minute through centre Shaun Blyth. Two further tries in the 4 minutes before the whistle probably put the game beyond the visitors, the first from Dan Smith coming from a charge down and the second by wing Jim Riley from a fine passing move finished off in the left corner. With a couple of conversions from stand-off Matt Hodgson to add to the three tries, the Vikings led 19-0 at the whistle.
The visitors started the second half well with a fine 50/22 winning great field position only for the move to end with the scoring attempt held up. Combe continued to attack but the North Walsham defence stood resolute, and the visitors’ attacks began to show a palpable sense of frustration. This sense was only increased when on 50 minutes North Walsham scored their 4th try with Blyth getting his second, securing the bonus point.
Another couple of tries from Jordan Mustard and Will Hodgson for the Vikings and yet more frustration for Combe in the home 22 with the only question remaining was would Combe be left scoreless for the first time this season. Centre Rob White finished off a fine move and Cameron Hancock slotted a touchline kick to give Combe a modicum of relief in seeing some points on the scoreboard.
A 36-7 final score gives the Goddington Dene side plenty food for thought before they make the shorter trip down the A21 to old friends and rivals Tunbridge Wells.