Westcombe Park welcomed neighbours Sevenoaks for what is believed to be the first encounter between the two sides at National League level. Recent matches have proved close with Sevenoaks claiming the bragging rights. The same was expected for this fixture.

And close it was with Sevenoaks just about pulling a win out of the bag at the death in a match which was always going to be determined by which team could take better advantage of a strong gusting wind.

Combe managed 4 tries in the first period. Hooker Callum Harris got the first at the back of a powerful line out catch and maul. Centre Kyan Braithwaite then intercepted in midfield to put winger Joe Ratcliff in for Combe’s second. Sevenoaks hit back with a penalty from Ben Adams but Combe scored another pair of tries when first prop Muhlemann peeled off a line out maul to score and then Kieran Thompson scored Combe’s bonus point try from a quick tap which was intelligently recycled by Matt Harrison. Stand-off Nathan Wyman converted the last try to give Combe a 22-3 advantage at the half.

Sevenoaks, as anticipated, then made the most of the wind scoring three tries; the first by Charlie Galligan at the back of a maul, the second scored by winger Drew Forrester following heavy Sevenoaks pressure in the home 22. The third came with 3 minutes to go when Henry Galligan scored out wide and, when Sevenoaks missed a long-range penalty in the final minute which would have won the match, the home supporters’ sigh of relief was huge.

Sevenoaks had done enough to grab at least a losing bonus point, but it was the Goddington Dene side who were the happier with a 5 point haul to secure 9th place in the League. Combe travel to league leaders Esher for the last game of 2023 for what will be a tough match.