WESTCOMBE PARK Rugby Club made a strong start to life in National League 2 with a comfortable 39-28 win against Blaydon.

Blaydon opened the scoring after nine minutes with a well-worked try which followed an incisive break by centre Martin Shaw, which was finished by winger Cameron Johnston.

The conversion was landed by fly-half Daniel Kyle to make the score 7-0.

The home side pulled level five minutes later through Gideon Roux with fly-half James Whittingham adding the extras.

Westcombe continued to push forward and with 10 minutes to the break, they were awarded a penalty which resulted in a drive over the line where hooker James Moyce touched down.

A drop-goal from James Whittingham made the score 15-7 before Roux touched down for his second try to increase the home side’s lead further. Whittingham added the extras.

Combe started the second-half strongly and a good lineout and drive to midfield led to a further penalty being converted by Whittingham.

Park then forced a turnover which allowed Roux to collect and sprint in from 35 metres for his hat-trick, with Whittingham converting.

Tom Hayman then went on an impressive run before passing to flanker Ian Hardcastle who romped home from 30 metres, with Whittingham again converting.

With Combe reduced to 14 men, due to the withdrawal of Hayman, Blaydon scored three tries in the final 10 minutes through James Kyle (2) and Shaw. Kyle added the extras as Combe held out for the victory.