Westcombe Park RFC

Last updated

Westcombe Park
Westcombe park rfc logo.png
Full nameWestcombe Park Rugby Football Club
Union Kent RFU
Nickname(s)Combe
Founded1904;119 years ago (1904)
Location Orpington, Bromley, London, England
Ground(s)Goddington Dene (Capacity: 3,200 (200 seats, 3,000 standing))
ChairmanJohn Vallely
PresidentJohn Aitkenhead
Coach(es)David Marshall, Darren Molloy & Andy Pratt
League(s) National League 2 East
2022–23 1st (promoted to National League 2 East)
Kit left arm thinwhitehoops.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body thinwhitehoops.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm thinwhitehoops.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks hoops white.png
Kit socks long.svg
Team kit
Official website
www.westcombeparkrugby.co.uk

Westcombe Park RFC is a rugby football club based in Orpington in south-east London. The name of the club comes from the Westcombe Park area of what is today part of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, where the club was founded. The club played on fields in Lee, Shooter's Hill and Sidcup before the move to Orpington. Westcombe Park play in National League 2 East, a level four league in the English rugby union system following their promotion from Regional 1 South East at the end of the 2022–23 season. [1]

Contents

History

The club – also known as 'Combe' – was founded by rugby fanatic Dudley E Roughton, a disabled man unable to play the game himself, making the club unique in that its founder was not an original player. In the summer of 1904 he decided to form his own team. Founding members included siblings, friends and extended family. The Church aided the formation of the club in the shape of the Rev W T Money, who played until the age of 52. Several pictures from this time are on display on the club website. The club's early results were encouraging and sometimes two or more sides turned out. Before the Great War the club shifted its headquarters several times and eventually lighted upon Harrow Field Farm, Lee.

With the outbreak of World War I in 1914, club rugby was put on hold for four years. The war took its toll on the team with 23 of the club's 84 members being killed on duty. Amongst them was Cecil Harold Sewell – posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross in 1918. The club reconvened in 1919 and resumed playing at Sidcup RFC's ground. By 1925–6 Combe was running six sides and was fully involved in the Kent Cup.

In 1930, the club started to look for its own ground. The club had by then transferred to Shooters Hill and was using converted stables as a club-house, complete with baths and electricity. When the Shooters Hill ground was acquired for housing, the search for a permanent home became even more pressing. A club member negotiated with Orpington Council for the lease of two pitches (later increased to four) and a plot of adjoining land was purchased to enable the erection of a pavilion. At this time the pavilion was one of a handful of properties in what became Craven Road.

Club rugby was further interrupted by World War II, after which the club reformed and two teams ran out during the 1945–46 season (Combe was also able to repay Sidcup for their hospitality earlier). Players more local to Orpington now joined the club. Membership and the number of playing sides increased.

By the mid-1960s the original club house had been replaced with a wooden structure, housing baths, changing rooms with re-mountable partitions, and warm-air heating. The club remained in the Craven Road site until 1990.

Today

Most youth rugby occurs on Sundays (occasional National Cup Academy matches take place on Saturdays). The club fields at least one team per age group between the ages of 7 and 19 with a strong reputation amongst other clubs, including London Irish, Colchester RFC and Blackheath. The club boasts international representatives at several levels.

The 1st XV will play its rugby in National 2 East from 2023–24, having been promoted back into the National League having won Regional 1 South East in 2022-23. With up to four senior teams playing at weekends including the 1st team and a 2nd XV commonly known as the Extra 1st XV, who play in the RFU league at Level 8 (Counties 2 Kent).

Combe' aim to be a vibrant community club for all, from mini's and juniors up to the 1st XV, including social sides, Vets and everything in between.

Relocation to the present site at Goddington Dene, Orpington took place in 1990 when the club became the major section within the Orpington Sports Club. In 1994, Westcombe Park took over the running and responsibility for the sports club and offered playing facilities, issuing contractual terms, to other sports (cricket, football, tennis and table tennis) as Associated Clubs under the control of Westcombe Park and Orpington Sports Club. In 1995, the club became a limited company, registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965. The club now has four rugby pitches, a grandstand, a fully equipped gymnasium, two football pitches, two cricket squares and three tennis courts.

Honours

Current standings

2023–24 National League 2 East Table
PlayedWonDrawnLostPoints forPoints againstPoints diffTry bonusLosing bonusPoints
1 Dorking 77003351411947035
2 Barnes 76013011741277132
3 Esher 7502241175665227
4 Henley Hawks 7502227184435025
5 Bury St Edmunds 7502228164643023
6 Tonbridge Juddians 7412201184174123
7 Old Albanian 7304234221135118
8 Guernsey Raiders 7304197223-265118
9 Canterbury 7205215216-14315
10 Westcombe Park 7205232246-145215
11 Wimbledon 7205205313-1086014
12 Worthing Raiders 7205205249-444113
13 Sevenoaks 7214167239-722012
14 North Walsham 700774333-259000
  • If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Difference between points for and against
  3. Total number of points for
  4. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  5. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
Green background is the promotion place. Pink background are relegation places.
Updated: 14 October 2023

Source: National League 2 East RFU [2]

Related Research Articles

Westcombe Park is a largely residential area in Blackheath in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, South East London, England. It is bounded by the main London-Dartford railway line to the north, the Blackwall Tunnel southern approach to the east, the Blackheath common to the south and a road, Vanbrugh Hill, to the west.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belfast Harlequins</span> School in Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

Belfast Harlequins is a multi-sports club located off the Malone Road in south Belfast, Northern Ireland. The club name provides the overall umbrella for rugby union, men's and ladies' hockey, and squash. The club is associated on and off the field with Methodist College Belfast (MCB).

Regional 1 South East is a level five league in the English rugby union system. It is one of six leagues at this level. When this division began in 1987 it was known as London Division 1. The format of the league was changed at the beginning of the 2009–10 season following re-organisation by the Rugby Football Union while the name change from National League 3 to Premier was introduced for the 2017–18 season to make it more obvious that it is a regional league. London & South East Premier was the highest regional rugby union league covering London and south east England. Following the RFU Adult Competition Review the league was decreased from 14 to 12 and the name changed to Regional 1 South East. Part of the area formerly covered by London & South East Premier is now covered by a new league Regional 1 South Central.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tunbridge Wells RFC</span> English rugby union club, based in Tunbridge Wells

Tunbridge Wells RFC is an English Rugby union club that plays in Regional 1 South Central from Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England.

London 2 South East is an English level 7 Rugby Union League. When this division began in 1987 it was known as London 3 South East, changing to its current name ahead of the 2009–10 season. The division is made up of teams predominantly from south-east London, Kent, East Sussex and West Sussex. The twelve teams play home and away matches from September through to April. Each year all clubs in the division also take part in the RFU Intermediate Cup - a level 7 national competition.

Regional 2 South East, previously known as London 1 South, is an English level 6 rugby union regional league for rugby clubs in London and the south-east of England including sides from East Sussex, south Essex, south Greater London, Hampshire, Kent, Surrey and West Sussex. When this division began in 1987 it was known as London 2 South, changing to London 1 South ahead of the 2009–10 season. It was the feeder league for London & South East Premier into which the champion team each season is promoted. The second-placed team entered a play-off against the runner-up of London 1 North. Three teams were relegated into either London 2 South East and London 2 South West depending on their location.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maidstone FC</span> Rugby team

Maidstone Rugby Club is an English rugby union club based in Maidstone, Kent. The men's first XV currently compete in Counties 2 - a league at the eighth tier of the English rugby union system. The club has thriving mini and youth sections, with enjoyment and development a priority. There are 3 men's senior teams, catering for all ages and abilities, along with a senior womens team.

Hove Rugby Club is an English community rugby union club, who play at Hove Recreation Ground in Shirley Drive Hove, and are affiliated to the English RFU via the Sussex RFU. They currently play in London 2 South East - a league a level 7 of the English rugby union system - following their relegation from London 1 South at the end of the 2018–19 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orpington F.C.</span> Association football club in England

Orpington Football Club is a county level football club based in Orpington, Greater London, although the club is based in Goddington Park in Orpington. The club is a FA Charter Standard Community Club.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sporting Club Thamesmead F.C.</span> Association football club in England

Sporting Club Thamesmead F.C. is an English football club located in Thamesmead in the London Borough of Bexley. The club is affiliated to the Kent Football Association. The first team plays in the Southern Counties East League Division One and the reserves play in the NRG Gyms Kent County League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dudley Kingswinford RFC</span> English rugby union club, based in the West Midlands

Dudley Kingswinford Rugby Football Club is an English rugby union football club based in Kingswinford in the West Midlands. The club currently participate in the fourth tier of English club rugby, National League 2 West, following their promotion from Regional 1 Midlands in 2022–23. The club run seven senior sides, a ladies team and a full range of junior sides.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canterbury RFC</span> English rugby union club, based in Kent

Canterbury RFC is an English rugby union football club based in Canterbury, Kent. The club currently play in the fourth tier of English club rugby, participating in National League 2 East following their relegation from National League 1 at the end of the 2019–20 season. The club runs five senior sides, Canterbury Hellfire wheelchair rugby team, a ladies team, a touch rugby section and a full range of junior teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Weald Warriors</span> English amateur rugby league club

Weald Warriors RLFC are a rugby league team playing in the London and South East Championship of the Rugby League Conference London & South Division. The club is based in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent with players recruited from West Kent and East Sussex.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bracknell RFC</span> English rugby union club, based in Berkshire

Bracknell Rugby Football Club is an English rugby union team based in Bracknell, Berkshire. The club was established in 1955 and has served the community ever since. Bracknell RFC is known for a friendly welcome and a highly dedicated executive, coaching teams and volunteers. It is always looking for new members, players, coaches and volunteers.

Derek Coates is an English rugby union player who played at Full back. He is known for his spells with Blackheath and Westcombe Park, where thanks to his prowess with the boot he became one of the most prolific points scorers in National League 2 South history with over 1,000 points spread between the two clubs, and was also one of the most consistent scorers averaging 12 points a game. Since he has retired from playing he has remained in the game as a coach.

Michael Melford is a retired English rugby union player who plays as a winger. He has spent most of his semi-professional rugby career with Canterbury during the most successful spell of the clubs career to date, which included a spell as club captain. With over 90 tries for his club in National League 2 South alone, he has become one of the most prolific try scorers in the competition's history. He currently runs a personal training business in Chatham, Kent.

Gert De Kock is a retired South African rugby union player who played at Fly-half or Full-back. A highly skilled player that could both kick points and score tries, he became one of the top try scorers in National League 2 South history, with 80 tries scored during his spells playing for Westcombe Park and Canterbury.

The Kent Rugby Football Union is the governing body for the sport of rugby union in the county of Kent in England. The union is the constituent body of the Rugby Football Union (RFU) for Kent, and administers and organises rugby union clubs and competitions in the county. It also administers the Kent county rugby representative teams.

The Kent Rugby Challenge Cup is an annual rugby union knock-out club competition organised by the Kent Rugby Football Union. It was first introduced during the 1890-91 season, with the inaugural winners being R.N.C., Greenwich. It was discontinued after the 1926-27 season, but reintroduced during the 1969–70 season, the winners in that year were Sidcup.

The Kent Plate is an annual rugby union knock-out club competition organised by the Kent Rugby Football Union. It was first introduced during the 2001–02 season, with the inaugural winners being Bromley. It is the fourth most important rugby union cup competition in Kent, behind the Kent Cup, Kent Shield and Kent Vase, but ahead of the Kent Salver.

References

  1. "Regional 1 South East". England Rugby. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  2. "National League 2 East". England Rugby.