No Deal for Warlingham

With a number of key players absent for various reasons the Warlingham team lacked cohesion, however, when fly half Mark Kozminski was given a penalty opportunity in his own half he fancied his chances and duly slotted it to take an early lead. As is often the case, Warlingham's focus dipped after the score and Deal immediately struck back with an easy penalty to level the scores.

Having given away another dubious penalty, Warlingham were scratching their heads whilst Deal's scrum half grabbed the ball, took a quick one a scored a simple converted try. Flanker John Dowling was prominent by tackling ferociously and locks Luke Delderfield and Mike Fair made telling drives at the home side but when the ball fell loose the Deal backs snaffled it and, slipping a number of half hearted tackles, scored a second try. A clever chip ahead by Warlingham saw centre Ben Wimble give chase but, despite what looked like a certain try, the referee adjudged he was beaten to the ball by the covering defence.

Deal's tails were up and their backs looked increasingly dangerous. After a period of pressure on the Warlingham line the Deal scrum half again took the initiative and darted over for their third try which they converted. Kozminski converted a second penalty and a third attempt clattered against the upright and bounced back into field bringing the first half to a close.

After the break Deal continued to attack the Warlingham line. So much so that a flock of seagulls camped in the Deal half, clearly confident
they would not be displaced by Warlingham attacks. Warlingham's captain, Zac King had other thoughts and his No 8 Tom Skinner, together with prop Antony Abou-Zeid,showed their resilience and gradually pulled Warlingham back into the game. Skinner and Fair took the visitors close to the Deal try line and were awarded several penalties. The pressure was eventually too much and King was driven over the line by his colleagues for Warlingham first try. Kozminski made a brave attempt at the conversion despite the ball be blown off the tee during his run up. When the Deal fly half hoofed the ball down field it ricoched off a Warlingham boot and went dead giving Deal a five metre scrum. Deal were determined and, despite a mighty defence by Warlingham Deal secured their bonus point fourth try.

Warlingham were not yet done and their forwards again took the battle to the home side and were rewarded when prop Kieran Scott scored a try converted by Kozminski. With the grey skies closing in Warlingham fought back with ambition but to no avail, and the referee brought the game to a close to the chagrin of the Warlingham team and supporters.

Next Saturday Warlingham make another difficult away trip to high flying Lewes.

Warlingham: McEvoy, A Skinner, Wimble, Saffery, Atkinson, Kozminski, Murtagh, Abou-Zed, J Delderfield, Scutt, L Delderfield, Fair, Dowling,
King (cap), T. Skinner, O. Doe, A B Doe.