WESTCOMBE Park maintained their National League Two status with a close and hard-fought win on the final day of the season at fellow strugglers Canterbury.

It was a game which each side had to win if they were to avoid relegation and Combe rose to the challenge, although they left it a bit late.

The wind and the slope favoured the hosts in the first half, but the scoreboard was quiet for the first 25 minutes until Michael Melford found space near half way to run in for the opening score.

A penalty soon after saw Canterbury in the lead 8-0, but a counter attack by Combe earned a try for Kieren Leeper, which was converted by Luke Giles.

With the half-time score at 8-7, Canterbury had clearly not made best use of the elements.

Even so, it was up to Combe to unpick a resolute home defence.

Giles had two penalties and Canterbury’s William Hilton hit one, so Combe’s lead of 13-11 going into the final quarter was far from convincing.

It proved short-lived when Peter Kelly was put in at the corner for a try converted by Hilton to give Canterbury real hope they could survive.

However, Combe hit back in the final 10 minutes with tries from Craig Chatley and Tom Hockedy, one of which was converted by Giles, to turn things around and secure safety in dramatic style for the Orpington outfit.