Deal & Bettishanger - 20pts -v- Warlingham - 5pts

A bitterly cold wind off the sea welcomed Warlingham to deepest Kent but it was not as wintery as the home side welcome after kick off.  Warlingham's last lingering hopes of hanging on to a promotion place were well and truly dashed by a workmanlike performance from the Deal pack who stifled out any Warlingham advances.

Two early penalty attempts from full back James Agate failed but scrum half John Perkins was his usual spritely self and two seering breaks dented the Deal defence but Warlingham were unable to secure quickly recycled ball and the moves petered out.   Concerted efforts followed by the home backline and a well drilled kick just rolled out of play before their chasing winger was able to touch down.

First points came from a halfway line penalty from Deal which clearly gave them the confidence to launch more daring attacks and from a criss cross passage of play a gap opened and the right wing scored in the corner.  Despite the blustery wind the conversion was successful.   A third missed penalty from Warlingham again lifted the home spirits and, from a poor kick  out of defence, Deal swung back into the Warlingham 22 and their second, converted try ensued. 

On the stroke of half time Deal themselves failed with a penalty kick which would have sealed the result.   With a mountain to climb after the break Warlingham tried every which way to breach the Deal defence and captain Tom Street battled hard to make ground. Injuries to John Perkins, John Delderfield and Dave Stamp did not help the Warlingham cause but even with substitutes Beesley, Chivers and giant prop Darren Walker on the pitch, there was no way through the tight Deal line.   

Warlingham were constantly on the back foot and when Deal pressed hard on the Warlingham line Jon Wright was yellow-carded and the resultant successful penalty put the result out of doubt.  Only in the last ten minutes of the game did Warlingham show their normal determination and a consolation try for winger Jon Osborne ended the scoring.  Warlingham now drop to fourth in their league with difficult game against League leaders Tonbridge and second placed Hove to come.  

After the game head coach Bill Maynard commented, 'After three good wins on the trot we know we can do much better than today's performance.  All the lads must learn from this below par efforrt - but fair play to Deal they took their chances well and deserved the win.'   Next Saturday Warlingham hope to gain revenge against Purley John Fisher in the semi-final of the Surrey Cup and reverse their last League result against the Parsons Pightle club.  

Warlingham:  Agate, Osborne, Glover, Stamp, Wimble, Walsh, Perkins, Nunn, Moreland,Delderfield,Wright, Ray, Smith, Street (capt), Wiseman. Subs (all used) Beesley, Chivers, Walker.

Former Warly wing plays for Guyana!

Just a couple of seasons ago Former John Fisher schoolboy Dominic Lespierre was Warlingham's top try-scoring winger and helped us gain promotion to London Division II. 

After moving to Leeds  University where he played rugby league for Castleford and Wigan, Dominic was recently an integral part of the Guyana Seven-a-side team which was the only Caribbean side to qualify for the IRB Sevens in Las Vegas, USA. in February. 

Guyana were drawn in the same Pool as Australia, New Zealand and France and, qualifying through his mother's Guyanan birth, Dominic scored a try against France in a 12 -12 draw.  He went on to score again against the USA in the Quarter Final of the Bowl Competition.  Unfortunately Guyana went down 33 -12 against the USA but put up a spirited performance to earn the respect of their fellow competitors.   

http://www.leta.lv/foto_popup.php?pg=132B477B-D69D-A637-6FE3-0F542861DC93&h=AFP&o=1

London Division II South East Warlingham RFC- 36 pts -v- Lewes RCC - 0pts

Warlingham gave their former players a six try post-lunch treat at Hamsey Green on Saturday against their visitors from Lewes.  The day marked the "Golden Oldies" Lunch where over 150 guests reflected upon their own playing days. 

But none of their memories matched the sparkling performance displayed on the pitch where captain Tom Street yet again lead his troops from the front. A colour clash meant Warlingham played in unfamiliar green jerseys but this did not disrupt their, now familiar, accomplished performance. An early foray into the Lewes half by the determined Warlingham pack ended when Street, cleverly positioned in the centre, shook off would-be tacklers to claim the first try under the posts.  Fly half Joe Chivers converted.  

Straight after the restart a frantic kick out of defence by the Lewes full back fell to winger Jon Osborne who made ground into the centre.  His pass to No 8 Mark Macaskill allowed the bearded forward a clear run through the poor visitors defence for the second try with Chivers again adding the extras.  The hosts were hungry for more points and Macaskill looked to have crossed the line again but desperate defenders prevented him from grounding the ball and Lewes cleared the danger. With full back James Agate and centre Alex Glover breaching the visitors' back line and scrum half John Perkins sniping at every opportunity it was only a matter of time before Warlingham scored again through winger Ben Wimble who came off his wing to score giving Chivers a third easy conversion.   

It was over thirty minutes before Lewes were able to take play into the Warlingham half but, despite repeated drives by their pack, the home defence held with stout tackling, especially from centre Dave Stamp and Glover.  Warlingham were always quick on the counter attack and a kick ahead was well drilled into the Lewes 22.  The full back hesitated and was scragged by the Warlingham chasers.  The ubiquitous Jon Osborne snaffled the ball and scampered over for the fourth, unconverted, try.  

After the turnaround Lewes forced their way back into the game and, when in possession, showed promise but again the Warlingham defence was equal to their efforts.  Quickly recycled ball gave the Warlingham backs another opportunity and a long miss-pass from Glover to Macaskill gave the No 8 his second try. 

The final try was orchestrated by Chivers who sliced through the Lewes backs on the half way line and, after virtually every Warlingham back had been involved, he looped around to the wing to dot down in the corner.  A final sterling effort from Lewes ended when the touched down over the Warlingham line but the player was harshly deemed, by referee George Pace, to have made a double movement and was instead penalised.  

After the game, Head Coach Bill Maynard said, "This was another good performance against strong opposition.  We've scored 19 tries in the last three games which is very pleasing.  We put together some good phases of play but there's still more to come from these lads."

Next Saturday Warlingham travel to second placed Hove against whom they drew 10- 10 early in the season at home.  

WARLINGHAM:  Agate, Osborne, Stamp, Glover, Wimble, Chivers, Perkins, Delderfield, Street D, Nunn, Wiseman, Wright, Melford, Street T(Capt), Macaskill

 

Scorers:

Macaskill - 2 tries, T Street - 1 try, Wimble - 1 try, Osborne -1 try, Chivers- 1 try +3 conversions   =   36 points!

London Division II South East KCS Old Boys - 10 pts -v- Warlingham 38 pts.

The final score slightly flattered Warlingham but a six try destruction of their hosts showed they still have the desire to stay close to the top of their league.With snow in the air Warlingham played against the elements in the first half but went immediately on the attack. A early penalty was just missed by fly half Chivers but the pressure continued and when the Warlingham backs swung in to action, full back Alex Glover joined the line and fed winger Ben Wimble who misfooted his opposite number to score the first try. 

However, KCS were not to be outdone and their own concerted pressure caused the visitors to infringe offside and KCS took the points from the ensuing penalty.   Warlingham always looked dangerous going forward with prop James Delderfield and the Street brothers making telling drives against the home pack. From some scrappy open play winger Jon Osborne made some space for himself and danced through the defence and fine inter-passes between him and centre Oli Doe gave Osborne the second try. 

The Warlingham pack then gained some momentum and after some minutes camped on the KCS line lock Ben Wiseman crashed over under the post to give Chivers the easiest of conversions.   At the change round Warlingham again took the game deep into the KCS half and a deft chip from replacement fly half Ryan Walsh bounced well for the hard chasing centre Dave Stamp who cantered over for a try converted by Chivers.  Further good work from Richard Melford and Tom Street put severe pressure on KCS who valiantly tried to play catch-up rugby but an interception by Wimble saw him speed past a lone opposition prop for the fifth try -again Chivers added the conversion.  

Warlingham's final try came after several passages of play  but when prop Alex Nunn strongly took play almost to the home sides try line and, after taking a crashing tackle, skillfully slipped the ball out to Osborne who finished the move.  KCS fought to the final whistle and looked certain to score but lock John Wright hauled down the ball-carrier with a desperate try-saving tackle.  Nevertheless the continued determination of the KCS pack earned them the final seven point score.   

After the game Warlingham's coach Bill Maynard said,"Scoring six tries against that opposition today was very pleasing and our teamwork was much better, but there is still alot to do to bring out the best in our team."  

Next Saturday Warlingham are hosts to Lewes.  The day is also the Club's 'Golden Oldies' lunch where an anticipated 120 former players meet up to renew generations of friendship.  

Warlingham: Nunn, D Street, Delderfield, Wiseman, Melford,Wright, T Street(capt), Macaskill, Perkins,Chivers, Stamp, Doe,Osborn, Wimble, Glover,

Substitutes (all used,) Walsh, Keats McNama

London Division II South East WARLINGHAM 46pts -v- Old Reigatians - 8 pts

With a hard overnight frost this game was almost cancelled by referee Will Fry from Uxbridge. Warlingham's main pitch was frozen but an adjacent pitch was deemed playable and Warlingham immediately showed their intent with some uncompromising attacking play which took them deep into the Reigatians 22. Quick recycling gave the Warlingham pack the upper hand and with James Delderfield and hooker Dan Street at the fore the drive took captain Tom Street over the line for the first try.

Although the Reigatians back line was starved of decent ball they showed some initiative when they had the ball in hand. A high kick ahead fell to full back James Agate who dummied and kicked ahead.  No 8 Macaskill gained possession and his determined charge led to the ball with right winger Jon Osborne outside the 22.  With a lot to do Osborne ducked and shimmied and eluded the covering defence to score an excellently worked second try.   Reigatians got points on the board after Warlingham were penalised for hands in the ruck.

The Street brothers worked well, and from a forward rush Agate gathered the ball, chipped ahead and went over for his first try.  Warlingham were rampant at this time and after several well worked phases of play Agate put winger Ben Wimble in for the fifth try which fly half Joe Chivers converted.  Centre David Stamp cut through the visitors defence and a deft pass to Wimble took the move dangerously close to the line. Wimble shipped the ball on to centre Charlie Edwards who cruised over for a try again converted by Chivers. Locks John Wright and Ben Wiseman were dominant in the looses and Richard Melford, as he often does, dominated the lineout throughout the game  

Shortly after half time Bellringer, the Reigatians prop, was yellow-carded for stamping but Warlingham were only able to add a penalty by Chivers during his enforced absence. A yellow card was then shown to Warlingham prop Alex Nunn for some over-enthusiasm in the loose and despite some spirited attacking by Reigatians there was no way through the home defence. Dan Street was shown shown Warlingham's second yellow card- a decision which was hotly disputed by the large home crowd of home supporters. 

Chivers showed great pace as he sliced through the Reigatians back line and, with Edwards in support, the game was taken deep into opposition half. Quick handling by Macaskill,Stamp and Dan Street gave Tom Street his second try converted by Chivers.   Reigatians collected a consolation try when their fly half, Grant cross-kicked ahead. Wimble was unable to gather and the try followed.  However, Warlingham were not finished and when Agate broke out of defence a pass to and from Macaskill put him in for Warlingham's seventh try, again converted by Chivers thus ending a satisfying afternoon for the Hamsey Green club. 

After the game Head Coach Bill Maynard said,"The lads have worked really hard on the training pitch this week and translated everything into the match today. It's really pleasing when all the hard work pays dividends - this was a great team performance."  

Warlingham: Agate, Wimble, Stamp, Edwards, Osborne,Chivers, Perkins,  Nunn,D. Street, Delderfield, Wright, Wiseman,Melford, T Street(capt), Macaskill.

Substitutes (all used): Scott, Walsh and Jon Smith.  

Scorers: 

T Street 2 tries       - 10pts

Osborne    1 try        5 pts

Wimble     1 try        5 pts

Agate       2 tries      10 pts

Edwards   1 try         5 pts

Chivers 4c 1p          11 pts        Total = 46pts

Next League Game is Saturday 13th February at KCS Old Boys - large support required !