WESTCOMBE PK 24 HERTFORD 22

Hertford will be kicking themselves after this loss as they should have put the game to bed in the 1st half.

Hertford will be kicking themselves after this loss as they should have put the game to bed in the 1st half. Basic errors cost them and chances went begging with overlaps galore which they failed to exploit by not straightening up in attack. At least 3 opportunities in the 1st half and a lack of discipline at crucial times in receiving 3 yellow cards.This probably puts there promotion hopes to bed as they now need other results to go there way but they have only themselves to blame. There was no lack of heart or desire and they pushed hard to get the result but in the end it was not enough against a Westcombe side fighting for survival.The game was played in arctic conditions and the snow continued to fall during the game. Hertford had 8 changes from the previous week because of unavailabilities and injuries but no excuses were offered or given by the coaches.

The game started well with Hertford scoring off a scrum with 2 minutes of the game gone.A well worked move straight off the training paddock putting Sean Taylor in the corner.The conversion was missed.5 nil to Herford.

On 6 minutes Hertford gave away a penalty and Westcombe Pk made good inroads and a barnstorming run from there right winger put them 5 metres from the Hertford try line.James Keens saw yellow from a ruck infringement and after a reset scrum the Westcombe fly half,who had an outstanding game scored after 3 phases under the posts.7 - 5 to Coombe.

After this Herford had the majority of posession and time and time again attacked Westcombe.On 22 minutes another chance went begging with a 3 man overlap which they failed to exploit.The pressure told in the end however after excellent runs fron Goodman,Corcoran and Archer led to a great score from Sam Walker who had come on for the injured Joe Stockwell.The coversion was missed.10-7 to Herford.23 minutes gone.

Herford continued to attack and and around the 30 minute mark had an overlap which they failed to exploit.On 34 minutes Sam Walker caught a clearance kick from Westcombe and made good ground.The ball was then moved from left to right on the halfway line and Corcoran made 30 metres up to and beyond the Coombe 22.The ball was then moved again from one side to the other and simple hands would have resulted in a try but the pass from Lloyd went behind Archer and another chance went to waste.

On 37 minutes Herfford had a series of scrums and after getting two penalties the ball was moved by the Herford back line.Again the ball was moved well and Herford looked likely to score but squandered a 4 on 2 overlap.7-10 half time.

Herford started the 2nd half brightly and and scored an excellent try through winger Allen.After good play from Seymour and then Good runs from Archer,Corcoran and Streets Allen went in on the left hand corner.7-15.Conversion missed.

From the ensuing kick off Herfford gave away a penalty and from the scrum the Coombe Fly half scored an great solo try and from the 10 metre line with the conversion missed.12-15.

At 57 minutes Herford made two changes with Castillone and Mathews entrering the fray.Herfford had a lineout on the Coombe 22 and a driving maul led to a penalty try with Coombe collapsing the maul.12-22.

This seemed to spur Coombe in to life and they continued to attack and for the last quarter of the game kept the ball well.They scored another try from a scrum ball and the Coombe 13 beat his opposite man to scoot in on the left hand side of the posts.17-22 conversion ,missed.

Coombe now had there dander up and continued to pressure Hertford and the result was two justified yellow cards and with Castlilone and Mitchell dismissed Herford defended well.Herford got a great turnover from a scrum and one the ensuing lineout only for the clearance kick to go backwards.Herford could not get out of there 22 and in the end the numerical advantage told and with two minutes to go the Coombe winger went in and with the conversion kicked it was 24-22 to Westcombe.

Herftford tried to in the last minutes to get the vital score but knocked the ball on and the ref called an end to proccedings.