WESTCOMBE Park, whose training schedules have been badly hit by the frost, were not at their best in Saturdays needle match at Blackheath, losing 24-14.

It was Combes first-ever league match at the Rectory Field and the general opinion from their large contingent of travelling fans was that the home side were much better on the day and far better than their current league position suggests.

Only three games were played in the National League Three because of the frost and the game was still under threat until the pitch passed an inspection at 1pm.

In what turned out to be a difficult game for Combe, Blackheaths backs gave a fine demonstration of ball-handling skills, running in four tries.

Right from the start Club were in command and they scored in the second minute when Dave Fitzgerald finished off a fine move with a try under the posts.

Fitzgerald was then sent to the sin-bin, but Combe could not capitalise and, if anything, Blackheath should have gone further ahead, but they missed a penalty and three drop-goal attempts.

Then, after 30 minutes, Combe were awarded a penalty and the ever-reliable Derek Coates was on target. Blackheath also scored with a penalty before Coates struck a second successful penalty kick just before half-time.

After the interval, Chris Trace ended a sustained amount of pressure for Club by diving over in the corner. Combe were quick to respond and Coates kicked his third penalty.

Minutes later, the course of the game changed. Combes influential second-row Neil Hayward was also sent to the sin-bin and, during the time he was off the field, Blackheaths Charlie Abban scored two excellent tries, both converted by Jon Griffin.

After 70 minutes and with Blackheath pack starting to tire Combe, now restored to 15 men, staged a mini-comeback and centre Pat Sykes finally managed to score a try when he ran onto a through ball.

Despite the defeat, Combe maintain their seventh position in the league and this Saturday, they are at home to Weston Super Mare.

Old Dunstonians had a profitable trip to Sussex, where they won their London Four South East match against Chichester 20-10.

It took Dunstonians 20 minutes to settle down before they took the lead when Jeremy Scott scored a fine try.

Stuart Burns increased the lead with a penalty but Chichester rallied and Gallimore scored a try, converted by Johnson.

Shortly after the interval, a penalty from Johnson gave Chichester the lead, but Dunstonians were still attacking with vigour and Burns scored his second try after a mad scramble for the ball, before Ashley Reading finally sealed the win with a late try, which Burns converted.