Warlingham put on a real show to win in front of a full house at Hamsey Green on Saturday. With the club celebrating its annual ‘Golden Oldies’ day, over 200 past players and vocal supporters packed the touchline and were given an attacking rugby treat from their players to conclude the Counties 4 Surrey season, writes David Halliwell.

With four of the back line part of last week’s high scoring U22 cup win over Esher, the blue and whites were keen to move the ball wide against their visitors from Staines. From the start, talented winger Harrison Thompson and evasive full back Harry Sturgess combined in counter attacking from a deep kick. With slick hands from the teenagers, destructive centre Olly Wilson blasted through unopposed deep inside his own half, racing 50 yards before forcing a last ditch try saving tackle on the try line by going alone when a further pass might have yielded the opening try.

The Wars didn’t have to wait long to open the scoring though. Dynamic runs from Player of the Match Morgan Gillam, clever off loads from Andrew Dearden and quick ball generated by the pack and distributed by wily scrum half Jackson Stevens, Warlingham caused trouble for Staines in the tight and loose with tireless locks Raphael Fudge and unsung hero Harry Cave putting in a shift to allow the backs to play. Staines infringed under pressure at the ruck resulting in a yellow card and from a tap penalty influential fly-half Louis Rossi-Jones found Thompson with a bullet pass to sprint in out wide; a great score for the youngster. Rossi-Jones converted and would be back to repeat the trick in moments.

From the kick off, the stand off nailed a 50/22 kick which gave Warlingham excellent attacking line out ball. A powerful maul driven through by props Matt Healey and Alex Nunn nearly crossed the try line on the left flank, then with the ball swung to the right Rossi-Jones hit outstanding winger Mark Chatfield, over from his left wing berth, on a perfect hard line leaving tacklers grasping in his wake as he touched down under the posts. Rossi-Jones once again added the extras.

A fast start for the Wars but Staines forward power helped get them back into the game with a try from close range via their dangerous number 8. And the hosts gave Staines a gift with an interception try, with the flair in their game on the fast track not risk free. Despite Warlingham’s dominance, the half time score of 14-12 meant both teams had all to play for.

The break only galvanised Warlingham though and with the wind and slope now in their favour the home side would extend their lead. Early penalties piggy backed the Wars into the red zone and with a maul set from the line out, talismanic back row Jamie Hughes took off from the base and powered over for a deserved and converted try. Hughes posed a threat all afternoon and, after a fantastic turnover from Darren Gwynn, broke free through the middle on a long run before drawing the fullback and sending a long pass on the bounce to Chatfield who used his pace to outstrip the Staines defence and secure the bonus point try.

The game seemed to be going in only one direction but huge credit to Staines they fought back to lead to a nervous final quarter. The Wars were close to adding another try but from a handling error in the visitors 22, Staines’ winger fly-hacked the ball through to touch down under the posts. With the game in the balance, the blue and whites went from flair to fire with a massive defensive effort to get the job done. Enormous tackles by formidable forward Lucas Bibb, classy centre Moses Bisatu, explosive winger Terrell Palmer-Simpson and all action hooker Olly Gill beat Staines back from within inches of the line. And when Wilson chopped another big Staines ball carrier down and jumped up to jackal and force a penalty, the heavy pressure dispersed and Warlingham finished by booting the ball into touch on the last play to huge cheers around the grounds.

With Wars second team also narrowly beating Staines on the adjacent pitch, the day showed the deep relationship between the club’s old guard and the players on the pitches (28 of whom are home grown) which has endured for over 100 years. Excitement for next season is already building.

All photos: Matt Talboys
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