Travelling down to Old Georgians after a week break it was good to see
Warlingham first team warming up and looking very relaxed, even with
players who were fitting into positions or stepping into the team after a short
break. Both teams looked evenly match and both teams where keen to start
very strong and vigorously
From the kick-off Warlingham really pressed Old Georgians and showed that
they were a unit that wasn’t going to be bullied around the pitch and the
centre of the pitch was going to be contested for the majority of the game with both teams attacking and counter attacking each other
It was from a Warlingham defence error that Old Georgians took the lead
but then a well kicked penalty allowed Warlingham to come back straight back and with
some deep probes into Old Georgians twenty-two and onto Old Georgians
five-yard line, Warlingham was awarded the penalty converted by number 10
J Osborne
The Warlingham pack was matching Old Georgians well in all aspects from
line outs to rolling mauls and it was from considerable pressure that Old
Georgians gave a second penalty away and Number 10 J Osbourne pushed
Warlingham into a slender lead
Both teams fought for control and it was Warlingham who finally got the upper
hand with a well-controlled scrum in Old Georgians ten-yard line that saw
number 9 Tom Parker going over the line for a well-deserved try
As we went into the final ten minutes of the first half Old Georgians broke
Warlingham defensive line and scored there first try of the game. Both teams
had worked hard and tackled with real determination to keep each away
from their own try lines finishing the first half 13 -8 to Old Georgians
Warlingham started the second half strong and it wasn’t long before
Warlingham was camped in Old Georgians half and wrestled for the
advantage and both backs and forwards combined to break Old Georgians try
line who finally conceded another penalty which brought the scores closer to
13 -11
Warlingham once again pushed Old Georgians back into their own half and
with strong scrums and rolling mauls Warlingham seemed to be getting the
upper hand and what seemed to be a well worked try as Warlingham went over
the white wash only to be held up by a determined Old Georgian defence
Warlingham was on the charge now and for the second time managed to
penetrate Old Georgians try line only to be held up once again by Old
Georgians strong defensive line for considerable time Warlingham seem to
have all the opportunities to claw the score back but just couldn’t break
Old Georgians well drilleddefence
Old Georgians and Warlingham were both looking for any area to gain any
advantage they could, and the middle of the pitch was where all the game
was grappled for and with pressure mounting from both sides the next score
would prove decisive as the match was in the balance and could go either
way both sides tackled with the ferocity of two teams that had come to leave
everything on the pitch giving no quarter to their opponents
Old Georgians after soaking up so much pressure and defending so well to
deny Warlingham from going over the whitewash would finally get their
chance to counterattack and push the game out of the reach of Warlingham
with a well worked try and conversion
Warlingham by far wasn’t out on their feet and again forced their attack on
Old Georgians but the full-time whistle was fast approaching just leaving Old
Georgians to steady the ship and control the final part of the game to win 20- 11