Ist XV Match report -v- Andover
London Division II South West
Warlingham – 13pts –v- Andover – 12pts
With Warlingham just one league place above their visitors this weather-delayed fixture was important to both clubs and
the elements again played a critical part in the outcome. A late try to Andover gave them the opportunity to kick the conversion
for victory. But just as the kicker approached the ball the gale force wind blew the ball off the tee and the scrambled drop kick failed.
With the wind at their back Warlingham started spritely and applied early pressure. Fly half Joe McEvoy narrowly
missed two penalty kicks in the first quarter but slotted a third to steady the nerves. The home side gathered momentum
with No 8 Ollie Dodwell making several carries into the Andover defence ably supported by flanker Matt Mardle on his debut for
Warlingham’s premier team. A string of phases and another debutante, Alex Sampson at scrum half, fed full back Alex Glover
in space and a well-timed pass to winger Rory Campbell saw him score in the corner. McEvoy added the extras from the
tramlines and Warlingham seemed to be in control.
However, Andover’s big pack gained the ascendancy with some telling rolling mauls and camped on the Warlingham line.
A kick from defence was charged down and Warlingham were penalised. Andover spurned the kick and opted for the scrum but
their forward momentum was thwarted by stiff tackling from Mardle and lock Freddie Hick. When Andover eventually took a quick
short penalty the crashed over for a converted try. Some miscued kicks from Warlingham failed to make use of the wind but McEvoy
kicked his second penalty to give Warlingham a six point lead at half time. It was clear that Andover would be difficult to contain in
the second half.
And so it transpired. Andover’s forwards were gathering confidence but the Warlingham defence, more effective in the last few games, kept
the visitors at bay. An ominous five metre scrum on Warlingham’s try line looked like points in the bag for the visitors, but they gave away a
penalty and Warlingham cleared their lines. With the game on a knife edge Hick was yellow-carded and Andover made the most of the man
extra with a number of pick ‘n drives being rewarded with a second try. It was then that the wind shattered Andover’s victory hopes and
Warlingham defended stoutly until the final whistle. After the match Warlingham Head coach, Patrick Dennien, said, “The new players Sampson
and Mardle fitted in well and we defended really well in the second half when they really should have racked up more points. .’'”
Warlingham: Townsend, Abou-Zeid, Nunn, Prince, Hick, Mardle, Kikng, Dodwell, Sampson, McEvoy, Campbell, Saffery, Osborne, Reynoldson,
Glover, Turner, Curtis, Atkinson.
Next Saturday Warlingham host Weybridge at their Hamsey Green Ground. Kick off 2.30pm and all spectators welcomed.