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Wars suffer smash and grab against the Law

Wars suffer smash and grab against the Law

David Halliwell27 Jan - 17:40

WRFC 14 - 19 Law Society

A losing bonus point helped Warlingham off the bottom of the table but it says everything about the blue and whites recent form that the players were hugely disappointed in a game they could and probably should have won.

Law Society started quickly in Hamsey Green’s bright winter sun, securing quick ball and stringing accurate passes together along the back to score an unconverted try in the corner. Warlingham sprung into life and started to win the arm wrestle up front with teenage half-backs Shay Holton and Harry Sturgess directing the play with calmness and authority. The Wars big ball carriers were willing and able to crash through the visitors gain line with Jamie Hughes and Riley Potter especially destructive. The hosts went close with a well organised maul hurtling to the try line but Law scrambled well to halt the pack’s progress. Almost immediately, Law caught Warlingham napping on the short side and with slick hands from within their own 22 scored a classy converted try under the sticks. Hats off, a great try.

Again the Wars roared back and it was the pack to the fore, playing in the right parts of the field and having quick, accurate ball to feed off. Elliott Jones kept putting up his hand to carry the ball forcefully, Simon Townsend was on top at scrum-time and Harry Cave and Morgan Gillam kept the home side on the front foot. And when Holton again injected pace into the attack, it was Academy pack star Jack Norman who raced through a gap and grabbed his maiden 1st XV try under the posts. A well deserved score for the tireless young lock whose work rate and skill set is always first class. Sturgess kicked the extras and Warlingham were well on top going into the break.

The second half would see more of the same. A pack securing quick ball and backs hungry to exploit the spaces. Winger Lewis Hazeldine’s dancing feet caused chaos in the defence and his back three partners full back Harrison Thompson and Jackson Stevens linked well very nearly scoring out wide with their elusive running. Mark Chatfield punched holes in the Law defence and Noah Clay complimented his centre partner’s direct play with good distribution. Matt Healey led by example with ball in hand and huge defensive effort. Warlingham dominated the territory and possession battle but couldn’t quite finish the chances they created. And then came a sucker punch from the Law. It looked like only one team would score in the second half but when Law Society snaffled an interception and went half the length of the field, the Wars couldn’t afford to let their heads drop.

The Warlingham faithful needn’t have worried. This Warlingham side never say die. Again the home side surged back into the game, Lucas Kewell showed maturity and physicality as he added his force to the game. Spencer Clifford was excellent in the line out and again Wars camped in the Law Society half with attacks punctuated by the regular sound of the whistle. Credit to Law Society, they scrambled and scrapped well, ripping possession at crucial times and riding their luck at times. A second Warlingham try had to come and it was tough lock Matt Talboys who crashed over the line with a strong carry typifying his resolute performances that give much to the team. Sturgess kicked a nerveless conversion with one play remaining from the kick off and a converted try to win it. But the ball fell to Law Society and they ended the game with a big boot to touch.

A defeat was tough to take for the home side but lots of areas of positivity and progress for this quickly developing Warlingham side.

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