‘Combe: Another Great Derby

MATCH PREVIEEW

The last time we won away at Henley was in 2018. That day, a nineteen-year-old, baby-faced Jamie Stephens played at Number 8. The record shows he received a yellow card for a high tackle. Jamie’s memory of the event is that it was a case of mistaken identity and that Jimmy Green was the real culprit. Knowing Jimmy, there’s probably some degree of truth in that recollection!
Getting results where we haven’t in recent history is the only way we can change the course of our season and show the year-on-year improvement we’re working so hard to achieve. That’s what made last Saturday’s win such an important step forward. It was built on relentless defensive effort and a strong set-piece platform. We know it wasn’t a perfect performance and we came away with some key learnings and work-ons. But the lads’ commitment to the cause and the way they fought their way out of difficult situations is something to be extremely proud of.
The Pilgrims recorded another loss last weekend against Gravesend, who remain unbeaten and sit third in the league. Two of the Pilgrims’ first three games have been against teams in the top four, giving the team a valuable opportunity to learn how the best in the league operate. Performances have improved week on week as they fight to find their rhythm at the new level and this was evident last Saturday as they fought back to claim an important bonus point—their third of the season. The value of these points is clear as they sit ninth in the table, still to play all the teams below them. They enjoy a weekend off before facing Brighton at home next week.
The strength of National 2 is notably higher this season and the 1st XV roll into another exciting and challenging fixture. Westcombe Park visit the Marine Travel Ground on Saturday with a record of one win from three so far. This isn’t the full story, though: they sit level on points with us and just one place behind. They have scored more tries than their opposition in both of their defeats, losing on each occasion in the final play.
This is the second of our back-to-back home derbies, always great occasions as the battle for the title of Kent’s best team plays out. We are focused on taking another step forward and we know we’ll need to be at our best to earn it. A great game awaits — I can’t wait.

MATT CORKER, HEAD COACH