Combe are making a habit of being involved in high scoring games and the trip to Esher produced a thirteen try bonanza. Although the visitors were on the wrong end of a seven to six try scoreline they came away with 2 bonus points to add to the 12 already gathered this season so far.

15 minutes into the first period it looked like it was going to be a tough old day for Westcombe Park as Esher eased into a 17-0 lead with the home side’s Harry Faulkner grabbing a brace. But when clean line-out ball was won, the Combe backs were released and Kieran Thomson went in at the corner. Nathan Wyman’s conversion made it 17-7. That gap narrowed further, again from line out possession. This time Kyan Braithwaite finished the move dotting down under the posts and the Wyman conversion put Come within 3 points. The ding-dong continued on 32 minutes when Daniel Rowland scored the bonus point try for Esher after the home side went through their paces from the re-start. 24-14 at half-time.

The opening 10 minutes of the second period would prove to be tough for Combe who were down to 14 men. Esher duly exploited the advantage and Harri Lang went clear to score under the posts. But Combe know how to score themselves and another well executed line out ended with a score for Sam Kenny. Line out ball was proving a key to scoring for both teams and Esher took their turn when Charles Crawley finished a drive with a try to make it 36-19.

When Esher scored their seventh try on the 60 minute when Falkner completed his hat-trick it looked as though Combe would return home empty handed. But the last quarter’s was Combe’s with line-out ball again producing a score, and the try bonus point, from hooker Calum Harris. Then a losing bonus point was added in the final moments when Ben Fryatt dotted down after a good combination between backs and forwards. 43-36 at full time.

Another positive result and the Westcombe Park players and coaches can have a Christmas break satisfied with their efforts so far in a tough league. Back on the road again in January when Westcombe Park visit Henley Hawks for the re-arranged fixture.

Elsewhere at Combe the 2nd XV went down 19-22 to a well drilled Sevenoaks outfit. A great comeback in the last 10 minutes from 5-19 was not enough to get over the line with a win but the losing bonus point may have some importance as the season unfolds.

Finally, a Happy Christmas to one and all.