1st XV win 'ding-dong' battle away at Old Dunstonians

The result was a ding-dong battle of penalty kicks. Kozminski slotted four for Warlingham but Dunstonians kept in touch with three of their own. Warlingham's defence was solid and new lock Ollie Dodwell looked impressive with ball in hand and his high tackle rate. From a long chip kick winger Bradley Saffery chased hard and just failed to make the tryline. But the constant pressure on the Dunstonians' line earned Warlingham four five metre scrums and the home side were creaking. A swift pass from scrum half Oswald Doe to Jon Osborne gave the winger half a gap. Osborne requires nothing more than that and slipped in for a well taken try. Kozminski kicked the extra points from the tram lines and Warlingham were well and truly in the driving seat. Despite a fourth penalty from Dunstonians Warlingham turned round justifiably in the lead with both Dodwell and Wrightson taking clean lineout balls and hooker James Delderfield making telling forward drives.

No 8 Mike Fair and Captain Zack King were punching holes in the home defence and the Dunstonian pack wilted visibly. Dunstonians clawed back a fifth penalty but soon into the second half Dunstonians threw in the srummaging towel and the game went to uncontested scrums. This took the advantage from Warlingham but they continued to camp on the home five metre line. The severe pressure resulted in several penalties being awarded against Dunstonians and prop Anthony Abou-Zeid suffered a nasty eye injury and the referee finally saw fit to yellow-card a home prop for foul play. In their eagerness Warlingham forced the play but unable to capitalise on the one man advantage until Kozminski converted his sixth penalty. Warlingham relaxed in the final few minutes and Dunstonians managed another penalty to earn a losing bonus point, but the visitors held on to secure the win. After the game, coach Tom Street said, " It wasn't pretty but it was good to come away with a win. Our pack performed really well and certainly took the honours up front."

Warlingham: Abou-Zeid, J Delderfield, Scutt, Ray, Dodwell, King(capt) J Wrightson, Fair, Doe, Kozminski, Osborne, Davis, Wimble, Saffery, Agate. Subs: Nunn, T Street, McEvoy.