Combe go down despite Southend triumph (From News Shopper)

Westcombe Park 27-19 Southend

12:31pm Wednesday 2nd May 2012 in Rugby

WESTCOMBE Park were relegated despite a final day home victory over Southend on Saturday.

The Orpington side got the five-point win with the type of rugby we've come to expect from them in recent weeks.

But the relegation which has haunted them all season was out of their hands and couldn't be avoided like last season.

After seven minutes scrum-half Sam Arnott had put Southend ahead when he crossed, but this seemed to motivate Combe even more and a few minutes later both full-back Chris O'Neill and winger Kieron Leeper had crossed to give the hosts a 10-5 lead.

Combe continued to push against a strong Southend defence but it took another 15 minutes to score and then it was a penalty try.

Joe Simpson added the points before James Lindfield scored the first of his two tries for Combe's bonus point and a lead at the interval 22-5.

The second half was a dour, war of attrition, matching the wet and windy conditions.

Flanker Andy McClintock scored for Southend, Lindfield for Combe and then winger Chris Vaughan finished the scoring with Southend's third try.

However, despite the success, it was a bittersweet victory with the news Lydney would stay up at Combe’s expense after enjoying a 17-8 win over Barnes.

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