Warlingham RFC Festival
Warlingham Blues
Match 1
Warlingham 1 - 0 Old Alleynians
Both teams started strong and spent the first half battling hard, neither defence line would let up. As a result, the game didn’t really move from the middle of the pitch in the first half. Lots of turnovers at the breakdown by both teams. Second half started in a similar fashion but Warlingham started to push the game line a little harder. The breakthrough came from a rare gap in the Old Alleynians defence and Lucas Wan went over to score the only try of the game. A very good albeit tense game of rugby. Unfortunately, Jonnie Locke left the field with a hand injury after what can only be described as a try saving tackle. Happy to report that Jonnie is recovering well after a quick trip to A&E.

Match 2
Warlingham 4 - 3 Horley
We didn't know much about Horley only that they were a team of quite big lads. Again, a tentative start by both sides but developed into a cracking game of rugby. Intensity from both teams was great and the game could have gone either way. Jake Arnold took two tries by running great lines and pure strength at the contact, Luke Routledge also got the chance to open up and got over the line for a try. This game was a proper battle and it remained all square with one minute to go. The determination of the Warlingham Blues playing together a team set up Thomas Jerrom for a brilliant try. Great team effort and well deserved win.

Match 3
Warlingham 7 - 0 Wimbledon
Fresh from the Wimbledon festival last weekend, we had a good idea on how to approach this side from Wimbledon. The initial exchanges were good, great tackling from both teams. Warlingham Blues raised their game and with great runs from a number of players gained great territory and quick ball at the break down presented the opportunities. Luke Routledge scored three tries, Lucas Kewell scored two tries, Connor and Harrison each got a try aswell. A point to note, the Wimbledon coach said that the Blues were gracious and respectful in victory. Great to hear from another coach, well done lads.

Match 4
Warlingham 4 – 1 Reigate
Warlingham Blues were so up for this game it was a difficult choice who was to be substituted. We knew Reigate were going to bring us a good game and they did. Right from the off, the tackles were fierce and possession at the break down was being turned over both ways. The Warlingham Blues communication started to improve and first receivers starter breaking the game line. Key to this game was handling skills and quick ball, which Warlingham Blues brought in abundance. Jake Arnold opened the scoring with a great solo run with support on both flanks. Jonathan Price then scored brilliant solo try after being played in by a golden off load from Conor. Jonathan Price went on to finish two fantastic team tries where every player on the pitch had some involvement. A well deserved win.

Team Try Scorers:
Luke Routledge – 4
Jake Arnold – 3
Jonathan Price – 3
Lucas Kewell – 2
Harrison Hayman – 1
Thomas Jerrom – 1
Conor Maguire – 1
Lucas Wan – 1

The report above only mentioned by name the tries scorers but credit to all team members;
Jack Norman - probably the best festivals I have seen him play in, even Andrew said the same. Attacking lines, defence and rucking were top drawer.
Ashwyn – only played one game but certainly brought it. Most of all, he enjoyed getting stuck in and came away with a win.
Lewis Hanbury – This lad would tackle a tree if asked too. His take down rate was off the chart and he never shied away from getting in the thick of it.
Warlingham Blues, you have a standing ovation from Me, Paul and Andrew.
I got to see some of the Warlingham Whites and Greens games and they were all cracking team efforts as well.

I think I write on behalf of all the Warlingham U10's Coaching Staff when I say “Days like last Sunday (apart from the few injuries) are exactly what we sign up for. Cheers Lads!”

Best regards,

Justin

All

Match reports for Warly Whites team from Sunday:

Game 1
Warlingham 3 - Sevenoaks 9

This was an extremely tough start for the boys with game having some very dubious high tackling and refereeing decisions (this game was 11 minutes each half, so was significantly longer than any other game). We lost two players during this game (Ed and Henry), which is a measure of the way this game was played by the opposition, but after losing the first half 6-1 the boys raised their intensity and the fire inside to make the second half much closer with a 3-2 loss. The Sevenoaks team had 5 boys that were significantly larger than anyone in our team and their tactics, especially in the tackle and in spoiling at the breakdown, made this a pure battle that to the boys credit, they never gave up.

Game 2
Warlingham 6 - Wimbledon 2

The team were very up for this game and they dictated the breakdown with superb rucking and tackling, which meant that the opposition had very few chances to score during the whole game. The boys had the vast majority of the ball working through the phases and also through creative turnovers i.e. great ripping. This game would have seen more tries for us if the boys had used the full width of the pitch and passed the ball wide rather than running back into the contact (a lesson learnt).

Game 3
Warlingham 6 - Reigate 2

The local derby and this was a great game to watch, where the boys once again dictated the breakdown and had the sort of stoic defence that made you proud to watch. The tackling was superb by the whole team during defence gave the Reigate team very few chances. Benicio scored a try during which it looked like the whole Reigate team attempted to tackle him but he never gave up and fought his way to the line. Brilliant moves were put together with switches of play stretching the opponent enabling space to be created. All told a great performance.

Team Try Scorers
Luke F - 7
Zain - 3
Benicio - 2
Bear - 1
Shay - 1
Hayden - 1

Standout performances in key areas
Heads up running - Luke F / Zain / Joseph
Mauling - Bear / Krish / Hayden / Joseph
Rucking - Shay / Alex / Krish
Tackling - Bear / Alex / Benicio
Support / Getting to the breakdown - Shay / Alex / Benicio / Bear
Spreading the ball / Quality passing - Shay / Benicio / Joseph

Overall Summary

A very successful performance after an extremely hard start. Again the team learnt critical lessons about the intensity required during the whole game and the importance of dominating the breakdown, their positioning and using the width of the pitch. Some of the phase building and switch play was very high quality and scoring 15 tries in three games shows how well the team worked together in the creation of opportunities.

Regards

Karl