A close fought encounter saw Warlingham come up just short on the scoreboard but that only told half the tale. The Wars showed glimpses of what this team can achieve, the high octane, fast, attacking rugby that players and supporters will enjoy, played by committed Warlingham players, young and old, coming together in the traditional blue and white hoops.

Captain Morgan Gillam led the team out for the first time in the league on this warm September day in Thornton Heath. Five league debutants took their place in the squad with fly-half Reuben Galvau and Spencer Clifford joined by three academy stars in fullback Harry Sturgess, dangerous winger Harrison Thompson and dynamic forward Jack Norman.

It was Streatham-Croydon who got the better of the early stage arm wrestle, scoring two unconverted tries in either corner through plenty of phases and evasive running. Warlingham were under pressure and needed to find a way out. Young Sturgess started to win the kicking battle and wings Alex Glover and Thompson started to return S&C kicks with interest. Backrow Olly Wilson started getting over the ball and turning possession back to the Wars and his long line break up the middle showed the blue and whites could break their opponents down. Then Warlingham clicked into gear.

From slow ball on the halfway line, Warlingham spotted space down the left flank. Alex Glover drew the cover with a clever run on his opposite wing before slipping a perfect pass to second row Spencer Clifford who set off at pace between the tramlines. Clifford was stopped on the 22 but very quick ball saw fly half Galvau break the line and off load to Jack Norman, the impressive young forward first there in support. More quick hands from man of the match Lewis Hazeldine and Mark Chatfield put number 8 Riley Potter on a collision course with the line. Held just short, the Streatham scrambling defence infringed and despite Hazeldine scooping the ball up to touch down, the referee awarded a penalty try with subsequent yellow card for the indiscretion. A great team try with forwards and backs combining and flooding through the line in support. With the conversion points added automatically, the Wars were back in the hunt.

And on the stroke of half-time, the blue and whites took the lead. Turning a piece of sloppy handling in midfield into another great try. Sturgess saw the mismatch on the blindside and with great comms, moved his forwards to capitalise on it. A great skill in a young player. A strong carry from Matt Healey scattered players like bowling pins and, with Sturgess pulling the strings out the back, fly half Galvau took the ball to the line before laying the ball off to Glover who burst off his wing and away. Glover calmly drew the fullback before passing back to Galvau who looked odds on to score. A superb last ditch tap tackle denied the fly half inches from the line but diminutive half back Hazeldine was on hand to score from close range. A thrilling passage of play that intelligently picked out space and exploited fatigued opponents.

If anything, half time came at the wrong time for Warly. They were well and truly in the flow and producing some classy attacking play while able to soak up pressure as it came.

The start of the second half saw S&C come roaring back. Big forward carries, keeping possession and puncturing the line again saw 2 tries from the home side. Energised by the break and some missed first up tackles, S&C had the upper hand again.

The Wars knew they needed to get back to the blueprint shown at the end of the first half, and sure enough play opened up to bring Warly level. An amazing length of the field counter-attack try kept the Warlingham fire burning. Always a threat with the ball, Harrison Thompson raced back towards his own line to field a bouncing kick and made light of the pressure of the chasers to execute a perfect scissors switch back against the grain to the oncoming Chatfield. Chatfield raced away up the touch and found the nomadic Glover, again popping up on the left wing and cutting inside with menace. Glover and Alex Nunn then executed another perfect switch in midfield, the veterans rolling back the year. Nunn, the evergreen prop was able to dash away unchallenged for metre after metre before getting his pass away to Hazeldine. With quick ruck ball secured, Chatfield latched on to the ball and tiptoed up the touchline to race in for a crucial score.

Warly again turned on the style with forwards and backs involved. The quick offloading game and quick front-footed ball gave the Wars players chance to express themselves. And from big drives from Andrew Dearden, Gillam and Roy Hart, Hazeldine found Glover who accelerated into a gap before shipping to Harry Cave in support. Cave expertly sized up the cover defence and passed the ball over the winger using his height and basketball skills to give debutant Harrison Thompson a dream opportunity to score on his first appearance. He jubilantly touched down to the euphoria of his teammates celebrations and congratulations. A memorable moment for the young man and a crucial score for his club.

Scores level and it seemed like only one team would take the spoils. Unfortunately for Warlingham a seemingly innocuous ruck clearance lead to a kickable penalty against Warlingham and Streatham-Croydon’s kicker duly delivered what would be the winning 3 points to the disappointment of the travelling crowd.

Warlingham didn’t give up and ended the match in possession continuing to press for the winning try. An ultimately unsuccessful afternoon for the Wars but with many positives. A try bonus point and a losing bonus point alongside a team beginning to gel and young players taking strong steps in senior rugby. The veterans also found a new lease of life. Fair play to S&C, a well fought contest and great hospitality.

Warlingham go again this Saturday at 3pm where they face Old Johnians at Hamsey Green. Lots of support required as we kick off our home campaign.