Westcombe Park took away 2 bonus points from this high scoring game, but it was fellow promotees Wimbledon that registered their first win of the season. The lead changed a number of times but the Dons managed to get two scores ahead with only 4 minutes left and that proved decisive.

Wimbledon held a narrow lead at the half-time whistle; 26-24. They had opened the scoring after 7 minutes from a driving maul but Combe struck back quickly to take a 17-5 lead. Combe tries from winger Kieran Thompson from good line-out ball and smooth running full-back Toby Wallace plus a conversion and penalty from stand-off Alex Cahill gave the visiting fans a degree of optimism.

The next 15 minutes or so belonged to Wimbledon, however, and they re-took the lead scoring three tries, the first from a good line break from the halfway line, the second a strong forwards effort and the third following an accurate cross field kick-pass. All three tries were converted giving Wimbledon a 9-point cushion, but a fine off-load from KK Orelaja put winger Thompson in for his second and Cahill’s conversion made it a 2 point game.

Both teams’ penchant for attacking play continued in the second period and it was Combe that were first to score, moving in to the lead after 10 minutes of the half through captain Nick Cook after the home team were reduced to 14 players. Cahill slotted the conversion to make it 26-31 to Combe. Wimbledon were next to take advantage of a reduction in numbers with Combe seeing yellow this time, re-taking the lead with a close quarters’ try from a tap penalty. The successful conversion made it 33-31 and a further score by the Dons pushed the lead out to 40-31.

Cahill narrowed the gap to 6 points with a penalty after Wimbledon were caught off-side but a jinking run and off-load from Dons stand-off Ed Morgan delivered what turned out to be the final blow to the visitors’ hopes of a win. A fine solo effort from Orelaja under the posts and a neatly drop-kicked conversion by the same player added the losing bonus point to Combe’s 4 try bonus but Wimbledon ran out winners at the final whistle.

An entertaining game but Combe are still waiting their first win. Three close games have produced 4 bonus points for the Goddington Dene side and the pursuit of victory will continue with this Saturday’s home game against Worthing.