On Sunday morning at their Hamsey Green home, Warlingham played their annual fixture against Paris veterans side, Stade Francais, which coincides with the Six Nations game. This fixture was in it's 35th year and attracts huge interest with the Warlingham, members evidenced when 150 French and English supporters and players sat down for the post match celebrations with traditional English fayre followed by the alternate team singing. The game itself was littered with unforced errors as the dipping temperatures made a mockery of a handling game. Warlingham's head coach, Ben Stobart, playing in an unfamiliar position at fly half, was an especial victim of the cold weather and was unable to get his back line functioning as well as the large crowd expected. The French pack worked well and their young back line gave Warlingham problems from the start. The London Society referee, Neil Crammond, was strict with his interpretation of the laws and penalised regularly, moreso against the French who appeared to be having difficulties with his accent. Stade eventually ran out worthy winners by scoring four tries to Warlingham's three - two penalty tries for repeated infringements in the scrum and winger Peter Mattison outstripped his opposite number for the third converted try. No 8 Barry Ruddock starred but man-of-the-match went to flanker Andrew Cox, whose fiery approach to the game was an inspiration to the rest of the team. Captain Ricardo Long, a stalwart lock, lead his team with aplomb and was unlucky not to cross the whitewash with a determined drive to the line.

President John Worsfold said after the event, "Today is a real highlight in the Warlingham calendar and typifies rugby at ground roots level. We had some spirited play on the pitch followed by spirited rivalry around the lunch table. That's exactly what rugby means to so many people and we will travel to Paris next year intent on regaining the trophy."

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Warlingham have two former players at Twickenham !

Not only did former junior Warlingham player Chris Robshaw captain England and receive the Man-of-the-Match award in their epic win
over the French XV but also Kay Wilson, who also started her rugby at Warlingham, scored England Ladies XV's first try against France
at Twickenham after the men's game. The ladies lost but Robshaw's side must now have their sights set on a 2013 Grand Slam having won
three out of three with the Italy and Wales games left to play.

PJU