Under beautiful autumn sunshine, the U15s took their first major win of the season in a Surrey League tie against Battersea Ironsides. Watching, was parent Richard Green, who has filed the following report.

Warlingham made a strong start, putting Ironsides under sustained pressure and keeping them pinned in their own half. Eventually, the pressure told as Warlingham turned the ball over on the 10-metre line, Alfie driving through for a try by the posts with a straightforward conversion.

Ironsides fought hard to get up to the Warlingham 5 metre line but great pressure and a sequence of strong tackles after an Ironside lineout Warlingham took possession. Trading possession in the middle of the pitch, Max pounced on a loose ball and popped it out to Harrison, who spotted a gap and sprinted through the final third of the pitch to score. A missed conversion but this put Warlingham 12–0 ahead.

A dangerous Ironsides break from their strongest play of the half was stopped by a last-ditch tackle from *Isaac* . Warlingham then struck again, moving the ball out wide from a lineout before finding Max on the wing. The powerful forward sprinted through almost 30 metres to extend Warlingham's lead! A great attempt, just short by Harrison, unable to convert from a difficult angle.

Ironsides came out quickly from this and caught Warlingham off guard, exploiting an overload to score their first try. 17–5. Warlingham responded brilliantly. Adam powered forward before the first of two excellent offloads, first to Isaac and then to Lewis, who finished with a superb diving try to extend the lead to 22–5.

Warlingham led at half time, looking strong at the scrum, great defensive pressure and work around the lineouts helping them maintain control.

A slower start for Warlingham after the break with multiple substitutions the boys took a little time to regain their shape. Ironsides took advantage and hit back after taking a penalty quickly. Moving the ball across the pitch, they managed to squeeze through the defence and score, adding a difficult conversion from out wide to make it 22–12.

They continued to build momentum and after jackaling the ball from a heavy tackle they sprinted down the wing for another try, which was converted. Suddenly, the score was 22–19, and the game was back on.

Warlingham responded with a powerful drive from Alfie , followed by a neat pop pass that kept the attack alive. Keeping the ball from the tackle, Hartley made the excellent decision to pick and go, powering over the line. The conversion was missed, but the lead extended to 27–19.

Feeling confident Warlingham passed the ball loosely down the line that allowed an interception and Ironsides to break through and score again. They missed the conversion, bringing the score to 27–24.

A response was needed but Warlingham were starting to take physical control. As well as winning our scrums we started to turn over theirs. Warlingham answered the call with another well-worked attacking move. Harrison drove forward from a scrum, before Alfie took possession and popped the ball to George, who powered over the line to score. Warlingham were back in control at 32–24.

A superb catch by Adam from an Ironsides kick helped launch another attack, taking Warlingham to within five metres of the line. Although possession was initially lost, Warlingham turned the ball over again, and Alfie drove over for another try. The conversion made it 39–24.

Warlingham continued to apply pressure, with excellent driving from the whole team creating the platform for Alfie to power over once more. The successful conversion stretched the lead to 46–24.

Ironsides had the final say, cutting back inside after a lineout and taking advantage of Warlingham losing their defensive shape to score in the corner. The conversion was missed, leaving the final score at 46–29 to Warlingham.

Overall a strong attacking performance from Warlingham, with powerful driving, excellent support play and pressure at the lineouts and scrums securing a deserved 46–29 victory.

Player of the Match: Max F

All photos: Ian Anderson

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