Combe started off the new season with a bang scoring 7 tries in a rather one-sided victory against old foes Sidcup RFC. Those 7 tries all came from the three quarters, but the platform had been set by a muscular performance by the pack whose overall physicality Sidcup found difficult to live with.

The bonus point was secured before halftime with three debutants in Joe Ratcliff (twice), Toby Wallace and Keiran Thompson all touching down. Most of the play centred in an around the Sidcup 22 and, throughout the half, Combe’s speed in getting the ball out wide coupled with pace and power on the flanks threatened the line consistently. Ratcliff and Wallace scored wide on the left, Thomson wide on the right and finally Ratcliff again close to the posts just before the half time whistle.

Scrum half, Jacob Buckley had brought his kicking boots and slotted three conversions successfully, two of them from out on the touchline.

With the scoreline at 0-26 to the visitors, it was perhaps understandable that WPRFC couldn’t deliver quite the same intensity in the opening period of the second half. There was a bit more play in Combe territory, but Sidcup couldn’t match Combe’s slick passing of the first half with a number of moves breaking down by handling mistakes or infringements at the breakdown.

The large Combe travelling contingent had to wait until the 72nd minute for another score and it was your man Ratcliff again claiming a debut hat-trick. Combe had won a lineout deep in Sidcup territory and quick hands put the winger in for a try converted with the minimum of fuss by Buckley.

Sidcup managed to break into the Combe 22 for one of the few times in the match, but tiring bodies and minds coughed up an intercept for who else but Ratcliff who raced 80 metres for a converted try. Centre KK Orelaja was the next to profit from a Sidcup mistake when a move from the home team broke down in the Combe 22 with a spilled pass. Orelaja picked up and it was his turn to sprint 80 metres for the final converted try.

So, just what Combe’s re-jigged coaching set up and fans would have wanted before kick-off. The hope will be to build on this for Saturday’s visit of Sudbury RFC which I believe will be their first trip to Goddington Dene. Let’s give them a big Westcombe Park welcome.

John Vallely