Westcombe Park 21 Shelford 16 (written by Mark Perry)

Shelford travelled to Goddington Lane on the back of 5 straight defeats looking to get the winning habit back against a Westcombe Park team propping up the table in 16th place. Despite having the lion’s share of possession and territorial advantage they left with just the one bonus point. The game was also marred by a very bad leg injury to Ed Gough who was making just his 2nd start back in the team following time out with a long injury.

Given the lack of recent form by both teams the opening was scrappy with both teams turning over possession before Shelford started to settle into the game. A scrum to the away team on their own 10 metre line was followed by a move to the left but a long missed pass was read by the Combe centre Davis who ran in unopposed under the posts for a 7 point score.

Despite this Shelford continued on the front foot but good defence and an ever increasing penalty count against the home team kept the visitors at bay. After going for a 5 metre line out a number of times from the penalties it was just before the half hour when Shelford got on the score board with an Owens penalty.

The only other incident of note during the scrappy first half was the serious injury to Ed Gough. Making a typical break at pace through bodies he was hit by a hard low tackle that saw him go down heavily. Goughie was carried from the pitch with a suspected broken leg. After missing most of last season with a bad injury this is such bad luck and we all wish him well for a speedy recovery.

At 7-3 down at half time Shelford came out with some urgency for the 2nd half and within 2 minutes were in the lead. Pressure in front of the posts from the forwards was followed by the backs spinning the ball out to Steve Smith on the left wing to finish in the corner. The conversion from wide was missed but Shelford were in front 8-7.

Shelford continued in the ascendency but were unable to turn the possession into points. A rare foray by Combe into the Shelford 22 was rewarded on 56 minutes when a penalty into the corner was followed by a lineout and drive that took Linfield over for a try. Giles added the extras.

Back came the visitors again and it was Steve Smith again that went over in the corner following another drive through the middle by the forwards. Again the kick from wide was missed but this brought the score to 14-13 with all to play for.

However it was not to be Shelford who got their reward for their superior possession as Combe were again clinical in making the most of the chances they got. Going through the phases a number of times sub Wright crashed over and again Giles added the extras. An important 2 points as Shelford now needed 2 scores to leave with a win.

A late penalty by Owens to reduce the arrears gave Shelford brief hope but the final whistle soon followed with Shelford getting just the 1 point for their endeavours.