Test

This was the last outing before the League campaign starts and Warlingham were still experimenting with a large  squad against a bare XV from Effingham.  The lead had to change ten times before Effingham finally clinched the match with a finely taken drop goal from the ten metre line by their metronomic fly half.

In the mild sunny weather Warlingham quickly opened the try scoring with a captain's effort by flanker Mark Makaskill who strode in from twenty metres. Centre Joe Chivers added the conversion. After fifteen minutes spritely scrum half Jon Perkins went off with a leg injury and, when winger Joel Keaveney missed a difficult tackle on his opposite number Effingham barged over for a converted try despite a try saving tackle from Macaskill. Warlingham struck back immediately when fly half Alex Glover gave a well-timed pass to the galloping Chivers who scored, and converted a try. Effingham were not to be outdone and, from a cleverly switched play at the lineout, scored in the corner.  The wide-out conversion was well taken and the scores were equaled.  The visitors then took the lead for the first time with an easy penalty in front of the posts.

The half-time whistle brought several changes to the home side but they strung several phases together resulting in a second Makaskill try converted by Chivers. Effingham then rushed the Warlingham defence and earned themselves a penalty.  They spurned the kick, took a short one and went over for their third, converted try.  Effingham then kicked poorly out of defence straight to young Warlingham winger Rory Bowen who took the ball well and galloped through the visitors defence for a fine solo try.  Chivers added the two points. The ding-dong battle continued and a clever reverse pass by the Effingham centre put them in for another unconverted try. It was then Warlingham's turn to refuse a penalty kick and their quick handling gave prop Mike Freeman his first try of the season. Chivers did the necessary  and the huge crowd thought Warlingham had done enough. How wrong they were when an Effingham fifth unconverted try gave them a one point lead.  Chivers regained the lead for Warlingham with a penalty but Effingham had the last say with  the finely stroked drop goal to seal victory for the visitors.  After the game, Warlingham head coach Bill Maynard said, "It's very disappointing to score five tries and still lose.  Nevertheless we experimented with a number of options and I'm pleased how several new-comers showed today.  The real games begin next Saturday."

This coming Saturday Warlingham host East Grinstead in the first of their London Division II South East League games of the season and all spectators are very welcome to a free display of local rugby.

Warlingham: M Freeman, C Kelly, K Scutt, M McNama, B Wiseman,L Delderfield, M Makaskill(Capt), R Melford,

J Perkins, M Kelly, A Glover J Keaveney, M Murtagh,A Moreland, N Robson, J Atkinson, H Gooden, R Bowen.



Warlingham's preparations for the new season were tested to the full by a well-drilled Westcombe Park XV who were hosted by the Hamsey Green club for a floodlit friendly last Tuesday evening.  The Park XV were being coached by former Warlingham head coach Steve Wagstaff, who had recruited Warlingham stars Tom Street and Jon Wright over the summer and this added to the occasion.

Park started well and their large pack took control in the early encounters and were rewarded with a successful penalty kick.

Despite firm defending, especially by centre Dave Stamp and Ben Wiseman, Park were able to score two tries and a second penalty.

Warlingham scrum half Jon Perkins was his usual spritely self and fly half Alex Glover marshalled his backs well.  17 year old Tim Jenkins, playing his first senior game on the wing,  defied his lack of size by tackling ferociously and chasing forward movements with panache.

On the other wing Joel Keaveney looked confident and flanker Max Kelly featured well in the Warlingham defence. Ryan Keats made several breaks through the tight Park lines but support was sometimes lacking.

Wanting test out all the squad, Warlingham coach Bill Maynard made numerous changes and this tended to disrupt the flow of the game.

However in the final quarter of the game Warlingham put together some exciting phases of play and when Perkins fed the giant Warlingham prop Darren Walker he broke the Park line at pace scoring a well deserved try which the dependable Joe Chivers converted. The home side were now in the ascendancy and the ubiquitous Perkins darted through for Warlingham's second try. The referee's final whistle denied Warlingham the chance to score again and Park ran out worthy winners.

Captain Mark Macaskill said after the game,"I was really pleased at the way the lads stuck to their job and came strong later in the game.

We've got lots to work on but this was a very useful fixture."

Warlingham - from: K Scutt, A Moreland,A Abou-Zeid, N Ray,M McNama,K Oliviera,B Wiseman, N Robson,R Melford, M Macaskill(capt) R Keats,M Kelly,J Perkins,R Walsh,A Glvoer,G Maynard,D Stamp, B Wimble,J Keaveney, J Chivers, L Beake. T Jenkins,

The final against a Hollywood Seven was a tight affair until the dying moments when Warlingham's superior fitness shone through and they put 6 tries on their opposition.

They finished the tournament having scored an impressive 28 tries with only 3 tries against. After that tournament Warlingham's Sevens Captain James Agate said,"It was a really hot day and the boys showed great commitment throughout every game."

Warlingham then moved on to the Interdean Sevens at Wasps ground in Ealing in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care where 20 teams fought through the heavy showers.

With a squad depleted by injuries Warlingham entered a young side with several players appearing in the blue and white for the first time. Despite the hastily gathered side by coach Richard Horton they performed with panache and, against more experienced opposition, won all four of their Group games against Raging Bulls, Blacktails, Interdean and London Irish Wolfhounds with a final try count of 23 and only 5 tries against.

The semi-final against a Church VII proved a bridge too far and with further injuries to Wimble and Saffery the decimated Warlingham Seven were leading by two tries to nil and the half time whistle. But Church fought back and scored the winning try right on the final whistle to end Warlingham's brave campaign.

Coach Horton said, " I'm very proud of these lads who had not played together before today and they showed great determination and spirit. Warlingham can look forward to further Sevens successes with these guys."

This Saturday Warlingham have a Training Day at the Hamsey Green HQ and continue regular training every Monday and Wednesday evenings from.7.30pm. All new players will be very welcome at the club Teams: J Agate, J Osborne, T Street,C Edwards, B Wimble, R Keats, C Foster, D Stamp, B Saffery, D Priest, J Butt, J Cook, A Skinner,U Onyakwelu

After a booze stop at a local Sainsburys, we arrived in Bournemouth around 8pm to pitch up our tents. We found out first game was at 10am and came to the agreement that it would be very wrong of us to not go out and enjoy show / girls / beer that was put on for us. I believe half the team finished up about 2am and the other half finished up about 6 am. (Great Prep)

Saturday morning - A few sore heads but Captain Street shouted his orders and after a few pig noises from Paul Wilson, the whole campsite was wide awake!! Our first game was against Wolfpack 7's. They were an invitational sevens team, with their own website and a fairly good reputation. We strolled up to the pitch weary and white faced to see them running through drills in their brand new kit and physio looking far too keen!! This could have started horribly wrong but then in the distance our savour was making his way over to our pitch!!! Richard Horton delivered a fantastic prep talk and as the whistle blew it seemed as thou one player in particular had listened to what he had said. Ubi managed to find himself in a one on one situation and his opposite man showed him the outside which he gratefully took and then as the defender tried to give chase, all he got was Ubi's tongue looking at him as he ran in under the post's!! 2 tries followed after that and we were 17-0 up at half time. The shocked wolfpack sevens didn't really know what had hit them!! The second half started and our alcohol intake from the previous night kicked in and the Wolfpack started to make a comeback! 2 tries was not enough to our 3 thou and we came out eventual winners 17-14.

Next up was old Walcountians - who must have also been out the night before and had properly drunk a tad more than us as we breezed thru this game winning 49-0.  This was also a similar story for our third game against (blue cowboys or something) which we ran riot to win 39-0.

Day one done and dusted and job done. Street bought us together and told us that we MUST now go out and enjoy ourselves and a court session was to kick off back at the campsite at 6pm.

Saturday night consisted of a bottle of Sambucca / Amoretto / Whisky / Rum and also 5 crates of Beer. This was properly the biggest achievement of the tour as we managed to polish off everything in sight!!

Sunday - We honestly didn't expect too much as we were once again told that we had a 10am start against Sutton and Epsom. Both teams were a little slow from the start and as we were first on the main pitch the commentator was not to slow in taking the mickey out of both teams as we struggled to pass to one another. Luckily we had a fresh pair of wheels in the name of Omar Dixon who thrived on playing on the main pitch and he burnt up the turf to get us on our way! Sutton replied with a try of their own, but although we were not playing our best Rugby we always looked comfortable. Street and Ozzie commanded in the pack and Ant Braithwaite looked steady enough to create space out wide for the gas men! We came away eventual winners 24-7.

Semi final time - the sun was out and hangovers were beginning to wear off! We were up against Bromley who had a real score to settle with us as we recently relegated them from our 15 a side league! Obviously consisting of a few ringers they meant business and started the brighter. Once again on the main pitch and big crowd was gathering. This obviously got the better of Ant Braithwaite as from the kick off he fell over and the ball went 2 yards forward! This summed up our first half and we found ourselves14-0 at the break with 7 minutes to turn things around. Captain Street had departed to go on holiday leaving the duties to James Agate to try and gather his troops together and gee them up a little. This was also helped by Richard Horton who once again provided a match winning speech to great effect. With Jon Wright winning kick off we managed to recycle the ball and put Omar away in the corner - game was back on! Then a moment of brilliance from Jon Osbourne. Gathering the ball in his own 22. Jinking his way past 3 defenders to beat the sweeper and score under the posts. This was a game changing run which put us in our stride. Dave Stamp came on to charge down the right wing to put us in the lead and then another moment of brilliance by Ollie doe who had the skill to put a cheeky grubber behind his opposite man and then had the pace to skin him on the outside and gather the ball over the line! This put us home and dry and into the final. Another try from Stamp and the final whistle blew, a quite superb second half performance and we won we 29-14.

Final time  - Our squad had depleted down to 9 from 12 as injuries had got the better of some influential players. We faced a very determined Beer Barbarians in the final. (The same team that knocked us out in our first year down in Bournemouth) The stage was set. The sun was shining and there was a strong 5-6000 people watching from all angles of the pitch. Nerves must have got the better of us as once again we found ourselves 14-5 down at half time. Same thing occurred as the previous game and Agate and Horton rallied the boys up and it seemed to work once again. Omar Dixon showing raw pace to put us back on track. Kozminski was providing confidence in defence and attack (which was good for the warly faithful to see) The steady and clever Will Turvey had come on to strengthen up the defence and once again Warlingham found themselves running riot. Agate regained the lead with some dancing feet to find himself under the posts. We had 2 minutes on the clock left and the ball was in Agate's hands again - he managed to keep the ball for over a minute without being touched beating defenders for fun and amusing the crowd / commentator. Once he finally passed Warlingham sealed the victory and cup with another try for Omar in the corner. The whistle blew and somehow Warlingham had defied the odds and won the trophy again!

Where as last year it was a case of Warlingham who?,  this year it was a case of Warlingham have done it again!! As we collected our Cup/medals on the centre stage in front of a large crowd we quietly noted to the announcer that we haven't lost in Bournemouth for 2 years now and that is a statistic that no other team there can say!!

A special mention must go to Pete Braithwaite who supplied the Boy's with cups of tea in the morning and was a great help throughout the two days. This praise must also go to Paul Wilson, Munch Mount and Ben Murphy who toured in real style but not putting down an alcoholic drink all weekend and provided endless funny moments to keep moral high.

Undoubtedly thou, the man of the tour was (to us boys) SIR Richard Horton who has been a hero to us guys during this sevens season and a lot of the credit must go to this man who always puts his team before himself and makes sure that we are well and alive! The boys appreciate everything you have done for us this weekend and these last couple of months. Thank you very much. We hope to have you on board for next season.

As you can imagine the Sunday night followed suit with the previous nights and with Horton and Braithwaite senior attracting young ladies from all over the camp, a super night was had.

We toured in true Warly style and Concorde in true Warly Style.

Playing Team.  - T.Street, J. Agate, J. Wright, J. Osbourne, M.Kozminski, D. Stamp, O. Doe, A.Braithwaite, R.Keates, Ubi, O.Dixon, W.Turvey

Touring Team - M.Mount, P.Wilson, B. Murphy, M. Waud