Warlingham’s home fixtures against the top teams in the league will help make them battle hardened for the rest of the campaign with some tough tackling a highlight of this match.

A strong and well drilled Georgians came to Hamsey Green off the back a big victory over fellow promotion chasers Old Johnians and looked every bit the team to beat. That said, despite the scoreline the visitors will know they had been in a testing match.

Warlingham’s opening try came from pocket rocket Elliott Jones steering his pack’s expertly driven maul over from 10 yards out before plunging over. The Wars forwards bettered their opposition throughout in loose and tight with grizzled determination from the evergreen Matt Healey, Matt Talboys, Alex Nunn and Nick Hammond.

The blue and whites returned to the club’s ‘coffins corner’ to get on the scoreboard again. Penning OGs in with penalties, Rory Sharp flew highest to claim the line out ball before setting up another formidable maul. Georgians were forced to collapse the drive but with the referee playing a good advantage, the hosts built the phases and returning number 8 Riley Potter dived over for the try out wide.

The game was in the balance at half time and as the gloom descended, the home sides hopes were high. Full back Fred Webzell continued his fine recent form and dashed through a gap with a dummy for a long run to draw the fullback and ship the ball to Cam Sharp but the pass was ruled marginally forward.

Georgians used the let off to turn the screw on the scoreboard but Warlingham kept the effort high. Captain Olly Wilson capped an outstanding performance with some massive tackles, turnovers and carries recognised by the opposition in the post-match analysis. Half backs Lewis Hazeldine and Alex Glover kept trying to inject pace on the ball in tough conditions with Noah Clay a willing runner all day.

Warlingham produced a moment of magic for their final try of the day. After solid carries from Olly ‘Rooney’ Meadows, Alex Kilpatrick and Joe Kelly the ball found centre Mark Chatfield. His inch perfect cross field grubber kick under immense pressure found pacy winger Ethan Moonasar in the clear. Moonasar picked up the bouncing ball cleanly in his stride before drawing the cover and passing inside to man of the match Riley Potter. A great try with real invention and execution from Chatfield in beating the OGs line speed.

Some bright moments, especially up front, and reasons to be positive for the future games. Warlingham travel to Effingham and Leatherhead this weekend before 2 home games against Law Society and a return fixture against Streatham-Croydon. Maximum support required for all the games.