It was a marginal decision as to whether or not this fixture would take place with drifting snow across the pitch. However the Warlingham groundsman doggedly cleared the lines right up to kick off time to enable the game to go ahead.

From the off KSC Old Boys pressed the home try line with repeated pick and drives.
Their efforts were rewarded by an unconverted try in the corner but Warlingham fought back with flanker John Dowling the energetic Matt Mardle closing down KCS atttacks. Swift recycling and fly half and captain Alex Skinner fed centre David Priest who broke the defence on the half way line and galloped on to score in the corner. The larger KCS forwards then looked to be gaining the ascendancy but the defensive work put in on the training pitch with director of rugby, Nick Warren, reaped its rewards as Warlingham snubbed out the visitors’ phases. However a lapse in concentration saw the KCS scrum half dance through the midfield for a converted try. Within a couple of minutes Warlingham scrum half Alex Sampson copied the move with a spritely dash to the line and, with full back Brad Kearney’s conversion, the scores were levelled. The freezing conditions made handling and fielding high kicks difficult and play became stunted but KCS managed a third converted try before the half time turn round.

Warren’s half time team talk boosted the home side and, after several phases of pay they were rewarded with a penalty converted by Kearney. Warlingham sniffed a first league win and strong running from lock Ben Warman and determined support from debutante Mush Zaidi took Warlingham deep into KCS territory. Hard yards gained by the forwards eventually gave Skinner the ball and he broke several tackles to score Warlingham’s third try. Kearney added the conversion to put Warlingham three points ahead going into the last ten minutes. KCS spurned two kickable penalties to kick for touch in the hope that a line out drive would secure a try. Both occasions were thwarted by stout Warlingham tackling but the concerted pressure led to a fourth, bonus point try for KCS. The conversion was missed but there was no time for the home side to regain the lead and their valiant efforts were rewarded with just the one losing bonus point. Nick Warren said, “The hard work at training this week paid dividends and our defence is improving. I was very proud of the work rate of the lads and they were unlucky not to get more out of the game.”
Warlingham: Nunn, Windridge, Townsend,Curtis, Warman, Mardle, Dowling, Zaidi, Sampson, Skinner, Watson, Priest, Downie-Keen,
Davis, Kearney, Mamode, Rossi-Jones, Fox.

Other Result: Warlingham XV – 27pts –v- Datrford Valley XV – 5 pts

Next Saturday Warlingham visit Old Reigatians who sit fourth in the league table.