A late missed conversion ensured Westcombe Park were edged out by a solitary point when going down to a 31-30 home defeat at the hands of Barnes.

Barnes were anxious for a win to ensure they avoided the drop, while Combe wanted to finish the league programme in style.

And it was the Orpington side who were off the mark first thanks to an Iain Gordon penalty, only for Barnes to respond with a try from Luke Williams, converted by James Clark.

Combe bounced back and using the wind advantage scored tries through Tom Gray and Michael Adeniya.

Barnes stayed close when Jamie Collins crossed for a converted try but the hosts eked out a 25-14 half-time lead as Graham Purdy went over and Gordon added the extras, as well as a penalty.

Barnes soon clawed the deficit back and then went ahead with tries from Grant Robertson, Richard Sharpe and Daniel Wilde.

Going into the last minute there were just six points separating the two sides and with the last play of the game Combe's Nikki Davies was over for a try in the corner.

The result hinged on man of the match Gordon’s conversion attempt but it drifted wide, meaning the visitors were home and safe by the narrowest of margins.

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