Led by man of the match and skipper James Delderfield, the Hamsey Green side dominated in the pack and kept possession through disciplined and organised play that troubled the visitors throughout.

The opening score was a Captain’s knock from Delderfield crashing over besides the post after excellent build up play by Jamie Curtis and flying winger Terrell Palmer-Simpson who was held just short. Dynamic hooker Matt Barnett grabbed the next score, following up a classy line break and off load by Mark Chatfield to slide over the line. Both tries were converted alongside a further penalty by centre Oliver Wilson. OWs responded with an unconverted try out wide to give them hope at 17-5 at the break.

Warlingham were well on top however. The scrum stewarded by props Matt Healey and Mark Stevenson shunted forward and the Wars blend of youth and experience saw line breaks from determined carries by young academy products Morgan Gillam, the rampaging number 8 Riley Potter, Oliver Wilson and older heads Tom Pugh, Jamie Curtis and George Britton. Coupled with the sides tenacity and unflinching defence, wing Oli Archer was excellent under the high ball and new half back pairing Lewis Hazeldine and Terry Gillam expertly managed the game for the blue and whites.

The second half was a thriller as Wimbledonians tried to bounce back. Riley Potter scored from an unstoppable rolling maul from 10 yards out, as the pack exerted their authority again to cheers from the Warlingham members. OWs then threw caution to the wind and threw the kitchen sink at the home side, scoring a well worked try and a penalty try 2 with slick hands in the wet. The Wars last ditch attempts stop the attack saw 2 yellow cards and down to 13 men, Warlingham seemed vulnerable.

Enter the pack again. Securing line out possession, Warlingham marched to the OWs line again first through a driving maul and when that was collapsed, front foot pick and drives and short passes out of the tackle could not be thwarted. Top scoring loose forward Riley Potter added the finishing touches to a big moment for the blue and whites. The crowd showed their appreciation and Terry Gillam added the extras from out wide to increase their cheer.

OWs grabbed a further late try against Warlingham’s depleted numbers and took home a losing and try bonus point. But the win was Warlingham’s and they will look to continue the resurgence away to local rivals Old Whitgiftians at the start of December.

Huge credit to the Warly bomb squad of Alex Nunn, Simon Townsend and Alex Kilpatrick up front and Noah Clay, who at times was the Warly back line on his own. All tackled and ran at the oppo like their life depended on it. Well done lads.