Our French guests arrived on Saturday January 2nd and attended the Saracens vs Leicester game at Allianz Park. This was their first introduction to a good soaking. What’s wrong with a bit of rain in London ???

The PUC boys were then billeted in WRFC families on Saturday night. We must thank Warlingham Youth parents again for their kindness in feeding and housing 43 PUC players (up to 7 per family in the U16 !!!) The PUC did the same when we went to Paris last year and in similar fashion all players did behave impeccably!

Sunday January 3rd saw three games taking place.
We started with a roaring and flag waving WRFC U8 Guard of Honour supervised by John THOROUGHGOOD. They really impressed our French guests who have booked them for next year again ! This was followed by the national anthems sung by all teams present (125+ players) as is the tradition for “internationals”. We must add that they were joined by a number of parents and coaches who did not have to nurse/recover from the New Year’s Day festivities. A photo session, whilst the jerseys and shorts were still clean, was very well organised by WRFC U14 coach Matthew QUARENDON.

First Game:
Surrey U15 were running their trials and accepted the offer to see 25+ players test their mettle against PUC U15. Amongst these hopefuls were Warlingham U15 squad regulars: Daniel Ankomah, Jonathan Lewis, Archie Kirby, Abel Paintsil, Ethan Staunton.
Surrey did line up some good individuals but that did not rattle the well drilled and superbly organised PUC outfit. PUC finished ahead with a 19 – 12 win.

Second Game:
For their third encounter in 12 months against PUC U16 our WRFC U16 Barbarians did start on a good note, but sadly ended with a similar result as the previous ones. PUC U16 confirmed seeing a good progress in the WRFC U16 opposition but the visitors scrum and set pieces were too good to defend against. PUC U16 won on a tight 10 – 5 score.

Third Game:
Warly U15 minus a few players (see above) did face PUC U15 as the last game of the day. Two early tries from Warly U15 Full Back and centre players did create a gap that even a hat trick from PUC U15 “Man of the Match” hooker did not prove enough in the end. Warly U15 "saved the day" with a 26 – 17 win.

-> A good hot shower and ample food (thanks Sarah CAVE & the catering ladies) were very much appreciated by all present.
-> As is the tradition, speeches and gifts from WRFC Youth Chairman Peter YORK and PUC U15/U16 manager Laurent ALLIOT to deserving players closed the day with our French visitors.

Pls take note that Warlingham will host a top level rugby game on Wednesday 6th April when Surrey U18 will play PUC U18 with a 7pm kick off.
-> Do not miss this opportunity to see some very good international rugby played in Warlingham

by David Berry