Old Tiffinians 49 – 30 Warlingham
Counties 1 League fixture – 28 January 2023
Warlingham make attacking progress against league high flyers
Warlingham earned their first try bonus point of the season in an entertaining feast of running rugby at championship contenders Old Tiffs. The blue and whites ran in 5 excellent tries in an attacking display not seen since their own promotion winning campaign of last season. No side has scored more against Old Tiffs this season. The hosts look the real deal and deserved their victory but Warlingham dominated the second stanza, showing strong signs that 2023 is looking brighter for the men from Hamsey Green.
The visitors lined up with 3 teenagers in an exciting and pacy backline with Hamilton, Wilson and Charles ably led by captain Brad Saffrey at fly-half. Indeed 13 of the 18 man squad are products of various vintages of the Warlingham youth system. Tiffinians started confidently and moved from coast to coast, securing quick ruck ball and stretching the Warlingham defence. In the opening stages, the visitors struggled to get a grip on the game and the ball and Tiffs clever half-backs constructed early tries in both corners.
When Warlingham did secure some ball, the pack carried well with the Delderfield brothers and returning hooker Alex Kelly putting dents in the host’s defence. On the back of these spaces Callum ‘Magic’ Wand and Roy Hart danced their way through the edges but a penalty goal from youngster Ben Hamilton was the only reward. Some wayward kicking from hand cost Warlingham a further two tries but an interception from Hamilton took Warlingham to their opponents ’22 and quick hands from Saffrey, Olly Wilson and Luke Delderfield put fullback Wand in on the halftime whistle. A mountain to climb but hope and cheers for the travelling Warlingham supporters who outnumbered the opposition on the touch line. The supported is always so appreciated.
The second half saw a side driven by passion and determination to play for the Warlingham badge. This spirit and exceptional skill have been honed in training in recent weeks and these lads are showing what the club means to them. Straight from the kick off, huge tackles and carries by backrow talisman Dowling, Richardson and Elliot Jones put the pressure on. Props Healey and Nunn did the dirty work required and player-coach Lew Brown was determined and unstoppable in the loose once again. It was Brown that opened the second half scoring, finishing a period of dominance and crashing on to a short pass from scrum-half Edwards and beating 5 tacklers before diving over. The blue and whites were in the ascendency with forwards and backs combining with quick hands down the short side on the right setting Hamilton away again. As play moved back to the left, another teenager inside-centre Oliver Wilson weaved his way through the defence and then put his foot on the gas to beat the fullback in the corner for his maiden first XV try. A well-deserved moment for the youngster, whose recent Warly ancestors never scored tries like this.
Tiffinians hit back with an excellent break-away try against the run of play but Warlingham maintained their tenacious push for a bonus point consolation. That came soon after and no one was more deserving than Man of the Match Lew Brown, this time picking up a short ball from Captain Saffrey and breaking multiple tackles with his big ‘don’t argue’ fend. Brown led by example throughout and he exemplifies the new Warlingham spirit of this calendar year, with players looking up to him and upping their standards.
Tiffs snaffled an error in the midfield and grabbed another score, with Warlingham knowing defensive work is required this week. But it was fitting that the final try went to Ben Hamilton, who got away again on the outside and finished in style. The young man showed maturity and exemplified the old mantra that ‘if you’re good enough, you’re old enough’. The referee's whistle was met with cheers by the Warly faithful who, despite defeat, saw their team give everything and showed the team spirit, fight and attitude demanded by the coaching trio of Hoskens, Fox and Brown.
Huge appreciation to Adam Downie-Keen, who has probably given up his modelling career putting his body (or more accurately his nose) on the line for the club. Also, a thank you to the medical team who were kept very busy on the day.
On to next week, the first XV are at home to local rivals Old Walcountians so maximum support please. Let’s get to training on Wednesday and build on this momentum.

By David Halliwell