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Wars close to Media blitz but lose the numbers game

Wars close to Media blitz but lose the numbers game

David Halliwell22 Oct - 21:42
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London Media 32 - 21 WRFC

Warlingham battled injury adversity from the off but can come away with a lot of pride after a fiercely fought and close defeat in an autumnal Battersea Park.

It’s always pleasing to welcome academy debutants into the side especially players with such maturity and talent in key positions. Scrum half Shay Holton and back row Lucas Kewell alongside gun fly half Harry Sturgess gave Warlingham a verve and energy to their play and they helped run the game in the heat of battle. The early exchanges were an arm wrestle with both sides testing each other out.

Warlingham lost full back Reuben Galvau early with a knee injury and others followed to temporarily disrupt the visitors’ momentum. Media’s early smash and grab gave them a lead but the Wars were well in the game. Holton and Sturgess conducted Warlingham’s play expertly, putting outside backs Mark Chatfield, Dave Priest and Cameron Sharp into space and giving the pack direction and purpose. Despite getting within inches of the line at times with drives from Andrew Dearden, Morgan Gillam and Kewell the first score remained elusive until just before the break. A solid line out thrown by Kilpatrick, secured by Gillam was driven on by Tom Gowers, Matt Healey and Harry Cave before dynamic back-row Jamie Hughes took the ball and crashed over. Sturgess nailed a tricky conversion and Warlingham looked the better side.

The second half saw a revitalised Warlingham, buoyed by the score before the break. Olly Wilson came to the fore, tackling everything that moved from backrow, centre and prop and carrying the ball through the heart of the hosts defence. Alex Glover provided guile and elusive running to keep Media on their toes. Joe Kelly provided fresh legs to the pack to push them forward and it was front-rower Matt Healey who got on the scoresheet next as Warlingham built phase after phase in patient build up and Healey pounced to close the deficit with man of the match Sturgess on target from the tee.

The Wars were just 6 points behind and playing with just 13 players for much of the time didn’t seem to be hindering their progress. Again the young half backs conjured up space and organised the attack with an almost telepathic understanding in the mould of the Toulouse terrors DuPont and Ntamack. Keeping it tight when required, Warlingham camped on the Media line but narrowly missed a chance beneath the posts to take the lead and slowly but surely the challenges of facing extra players caught up with the blue and whites.

Media marched over for a score against the run of play but back bounced Warlingham showing real desire. A penalty try awarded by the referee was just reward for Warlingham’s tenacity with Gillam giving it a captains knock in the loose and more dogged carries from Wilson, Cave and Kilpatrick promoted by Holton’s wit close to the line gave the referee no choice but to give Warlingham the 7 points as he ran beneath the sticks to award the score.

The defiant tackling and do or die attitude was outstanding in the second half. The team dug in and won the second half by 2 points despite being down to 13 men.

A bit of niggle and a yellow card brought proceedings to a close with Media celebrating a home win. But they will know they had been in a game and on another day the points could be coming to Hamsey Green. A brave effort and something to build on with a dazzling display from the academy lads mixing superbly with established players.

Warlingham return back home after 3 away games to face high flyers Old Hamptonians in front of the Hamsey Green faithful this weekend. Maximum support as ever required. The boys really appreciate it.

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