Tenth placed Combe renewed their acquaintance with Raiders who sat one place above them in the League before the match. It was always going to be a tight game and so it proved with a nail-biting finish which stretched the Combe faithful’s nerves (apologies for the mixed metaphor).

Combe took an early lead through returning lock Hugo McPherson who finished off a move after lurking wide on the right. The Raiders spent the rest of the half dominating possession and territory, but stout home side defence restricted the visitors to a sole try from Carter Hackett converted by Ciaran McGann. The Combe scrum creaked a bit but started to sort itself out exemplified by a fine all round display by player of the match Marc Muhlemann.

It was Combe however that ended the half 12-7 when the referee’s patience with repeated Raiders’ offences in the red zone was exhausted and Westcombe Park were awarded a penalty try. The Raiders also saw a second yellow card which reduced them to 13 players to face Combe’s 14 as the home side had also got on the wrong side of the officials.

Combe started the second half strongly with a penetrating run from captain Nick Cook which deserved a score. However the move was held up over the try line. Raiders got level when Hugo Culverhouse juggled and scored in the corner. Combe edged ahead again when Number 10 Nathan Wyman targeted a gap and scored but in a see-saw game Guernsey retook the lead when centre McGann stretched for the score.

In the last quarter Combe secured the win through the boot of Wyman scoring a penalty and then an unconverted try from full back Toby Wallace. That last try bringing another bonus point for the Goddington Dene side

Despite some strong Raiders pressure in the closing phases with numerous Guernsey attacks thwarted by a passionate home side defence, the Goddington Dene side held out to leapfrog their visitors. Next Saturday Westcombe Park are on the road again to Old Albanian RFC with a 1500 kick off.