Warlingham maintained their 100 per cent winning run with 38 unanswered points away at Economicals to go top of the league in Counties 4 Surrey, writes David Halliwell.

The London School of Economics old boys, no doubt busy crunching the numbers in the Chancellor’s budget during the week, made a fast start and raced into an early 12 - 0 lead. There was no panic in the Warlingham camp as the green shoots of recovery were already evident in the visitors' physical and skilful approach. Prop Darren Gwynn was a powerhouse and pushed his opposite number all over the pitch. Jonah Clay was everywhere in the number 6 shirt and Andrew Dearden’s energy was key to Warlingham getting back on top.

Number 8 Riley Potter is tough to stop five yards out and he crashed over for a converted try from a perfect Tavis Emery pass to kick start the Wars. Minutes later, creative centre Moses Bisatu found elusive winger Harrison Thompson wide on the right flank and his dancing feet helped him find the line to level up the scores at the break.

The second half saw Warlingham dominate possession and territory. The men from Hamsey Green needed to be patient though, there were disallowed tries from destructive centre Olly Wilson, versatile playmaker Eric Sims and controversially a clear second try for Thompson before the deadlock was broken.

A solid driving maul expertly formed by Mark Stephenson and Luke Robinson proved unstoppable with all eight forwards pushing in unison from a well won lineout by the flying force of Harry Cave. Birthday boy Nick Hammond took full advantage and dropped over for a converted try with Wilson adding the extras from out wide. The Wars’ were starting to open up the ball and marched straight back up the field with slick hands and punishing runs. The pack capitalised on an infringement to once again get a maul going over the line. This time Matt Talboys broke away from the drive to leave the defence floundering with wild celebrations at the bonus point try.

The game was well and truly open now. Sam Fawke and Michael Mason returned any attempted clearances with interest not giving the home side any respite. And now fly half Jimmy Hayter was pulling the strings in an assured performance taking full advantage of his opportunity from the bench and scooping the man of the match award as well as a clever try, selling a dummy and stepping through Economicals defenders to romp over under the posts. Skipper Morgan Gillam is an increasing running threat from the engine room and blasted onto perfectly timed short balls from scrum half Jackson Stevens who added tempo to the attack. Hayter was at it again, revelling in the fast front foot ball, and he hit Hammond’s wide run on the overlap with a delicious long pass to give the scoreline some gloss and hand Hammond, the club’s second team captain, a rare try double. Just rewards for this hard work.

A solid away win with all 19 players playing a full role in getting the points and topping the league. Warlingham’s strength in depth and fitness in the second period of games is increasingly showing to be a point of difference. With the club’s second team winning away on Saturday too and colts making their first senior appearances, the best is yet to come for the club in their quest for a special season.

All photos: Marie Emery

Watch the full match replay here!