An increasingly fluent performance from the Wars with stand out performances across their young side and 3 tries disallowed at crucial times told the story against a home team who attacked decisively from long range.

Teenage pack star Jack Norman lead the charge with an outstanding performance, combining old school grit in the tight with evasive running, clever handling skills and massive work rate. Norman was aided and abetted by experienced forwards Matt Talboys and Simon Townsend who battled for every ball and inch of territory.

Despite falling behind early, Warlingham dominated the opening stanza with creative fly-half Harry Sturgess pulling the strings with game management skills that belie his age. Sturgess put powerful Academy winger Harrison Thompson over in the corner but a toe in touch brought play back. Warlingham were not deterred and roared back with great phase play with Morgan Gillam, Elliott Jones, Fred Webzell and Alex Nunn punching holes through the home defence. Thompson again went over, hungry for work and bashing through the middle to reach out and put down under the sticks. To the incredulity of players from both sides, the ‘try’ was ruled out for a knock on.

The visitors’ heads could have dropped but they came back with an excellent try. Lewis Hazeldine directed the Wars attack down the blind side to all action back row Olly Wilson who drove through contact before producing a brilliant off-load out of the back of his hand to the on rushing Sturgess. The youngster rounded the full back with ease and dotted down for a great try. Having finally got some reward. Warlingham raced back to the visitors 22, with forwards Tom Gowers and Alex Kilpatrick winning ball and evergreen fullback Alex Glover breaking cover, ably supported by Noah Clay and Cameron Sharp. The Wars forced Economicals into desperate defence and conceded a penalty which Sturgess kicked.

The 13-8 halftime scoreline gave Warlingham a winnable target and that forced a more attritional game with both sides digging in. Again Warlingham camped in the hosts half but excellent kick returns and passing exchanges in broken field allowed more Economicals scores. Warlingham never gave up and continued to dominate possession and territory.

From good forward play and line out success that forced penalties at the breakdown and territorial gain, Warlingham were able to attack from short range. Wilson carried hard again for the line and was hit high. Despite the force of the tackle, the Warlingham number 8 continued his momentum and touched down outwide. The referee, however, awarded a penalty try with the 7 points instantly awarded to the blue and whites.

Warlingham centre Chatfield got his just rewards for a tireless display appearing on the loop for Sturgess, who cleverly disguised his pass to pop the ball to the pacy centre. Chatfield dashed in to beat the cover and give Warlingham a sniff of a try bonus point, which he himself might have grabbed after charging down a box kick and reaching out at the foot of the corner flag. Alas this potential try was overruled too.

Credit must go to Economicals for soaking up Warlingham’s pressure and counter attacking from deep to earn the spoils. That said, Warlingham are starting to grow and gel as a team and will look to the forthcoming fixtures before Christmas, with more at their Hamsey Green home, to make an impression on this league and turn their progress into league points.