London Two South East
Old Colfeians 40 Warlingham 15
WITH the Warlingham injury list longer than the team sheet Warlingham drafted in veteran club stalwarts
Barry Ruddock and big Ben Wiseman to offer maturity to the otherwise youthful side, but their wisdom and
efforts were not enough to prevent a five try defeat.
With relegation beckoning Warlingham remain one place above the drop zone with some daunting fixtures to come against top-of-the-table opposition.
From the kick-off the visitors tried to run out of defence but were scragged and a counter attack down the left flank gave Colfeians their first try, which was quickly followed by a penalty. Warlingham fought back with drives from number eight Tom Street and wing Jon Osborne.
Colfeians cemented their lead with two well struck penalties but Warlingham failed to get on the scoreboard with their own penalty attempt into a strong head wind. From loose play Colfeians kicked ahead and scored their second try when the ball popped up kindly into a chasing Colfeian player. The conversion was successful. The well-drilled Colfeians backs then scored a third unconverted try before Street picked and drove over the line after a line-out close to the home side try-line. Colfeians pressurised and, from a five metre scrum their powerful number eight steamed over for the fourth, bonus point try.
After the break Warlingham used the wind to their advantage and a Street break and feed to Sandy Kenny gave the young winger Warlingham's second try. Again Warlingham were unlucky when attacking the Colfeian line an interception and break away gave the hosts a fifth, converted try. When injuries occurred, Warlingham used up their substitutes and with time running out Warlingham pressed again and a crunching tackle from prop Ant Abou-Zeid on the Colfeian fly-half gave Warlingham possession. Determined to the end they carried forward and Street secured the final score, but not enough to even secure a bonus point, and Warlingham hover perilously close to relegation. Next Saturday Warlingham host Sevenoaks at their Hamsey Green home.
Warlingham: Abou-Zeid, Ahola, Boufaied, Iannou, Downie-Keene, Hemsley, Kenny, McEvoy, Nunn, Osborne, Ruddock,Saffery, Scutt, Skinner, Stobart, Street, Wiseman.
