Last Saturday, Warlingham extended a warm, but very windy welcome to London French for the latest round of Counties 4 Surrey action. Wrapped up in multiple layers to see off the chilly Northerly and give us this report, was Phil Sheridan.

On a cold, windswept afternoon on Warlingham’s 1st XV pitch, London French struck first. Making good use of the strong breeze, they kicked deep into the Warlingham 22, caught the defence off guard and, from an uncontested scrum, scored in the corner.

That early blow seemed to spark Warlingham into life. London French were stubborn in the home half, but strong carries from Ollie Wilson and Raphael Fudge finally pushed Warlingham upfield. A sharp break from fly-half Louis Rossi-Jones earned a lineout in the French 22. Warlingham won clean ball and then a penalty, but kicking into the wind made the chance difficult to convert.

From the 22 drop-out, Warlingham’s backs combined well to release Moses Bisatu, who finished in the corner for a well-deserved try in the 22nd minute. Five minutes later, breaks from Jonah Clay and Harry Cave set up another attack, and Jackson Stevens crashed over the line. Rossi-Jones battled the wind but couldn’t add the extras.

The visitors responded strongly, again using the wind to pin Warlingham back and earning a lineout on the home 10m. Warlingham stole it and, working their way out of danger, counter-attacked superbly. In the 39th minute, Jonah Clay crossed for Warlingham’s third try, with Rossi-Jones this time winning his battle with the elements to add the conversion. A further score from Andrew Dearden rounded off an impressive first-half display.

Warlingham started the second half 17 points ahead, with freezing drizzle making conditions tricky. Now playing with the wind, a well-placed kick set up another attacking platform. Quick ball and slick handling down the line saw a smart pass from Raphael Fudge send flanker Andrew Dearden over for his second try. The conversion drifted wide.

London French fought back after the restart, earning a penalty for a no-arms tackle from replacement Ollie McCusker, who was sent to the “naughty step” for ten minutes. Despite being a man down, Warlingham soon won a scrum in the opposition half. Excellent support play from young Lucas Kewell put Dearden over again in the 53rd minute for his hat-trick - “jug time”.

The visitors kept pressing and held Warlingham in their own 22 for a spell, but fresh legs from Terell Palmer-Simpson and Mark Chatfield, plus McCusker’s powerful return, swung momentum back. Strong defence and a handling error from London French allowed Warlingham to attack once more. From a turnover in the French half, Ollie Wilson pounced and finished under the posts. With the wind now at his back, Rossi-Jones landed two conversions in the second half.

Uncontested scrums took some of the edge off what might have been an even better contest, and the final score arguably flattered Warlingham, but few would doubt the result would have been the same.

After a hard, cold afternoon, every player was relieved to head for a hot shower and bath.

Awards for Hard As Nails went to Andrew Dearden, and Attacking Player of the Match went to Moses Bisatu.

A special mention goes to the club for fielding two teams on the same weekend, something that hasn’t happened for a long time and a brilliant sign that grassroots rugby at Warlingham is on the rise again. Well done to everyone involved.

All photos: Hayley Sasserath
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