SURREY ALLIANCE
14/10/06
WARLINGHAM 2As vs LCRFC 2s

Warlingham 2As 12 - London Cornish 2s 23

For a team member who was part of this same corresponding fixture 12 months ago, the build up to both games has shown how much has changed at this club in the last year. Last year we started the game with 14 men, of which at one point we went down to 12 men, that day we left with an albeit slightly disappointing draw. Fast forward to present day, team meet was a good 3 hrs before kick off time, we arrived at the venue with a good hour to go and was out there warming up, ready to go!! Despite the fact some were nursing sore hangovers……

Another week, and another team wanting to take our unbeaten record away. And full credit to Warlingham as we certainly walked away in full knowledge we’ve been in a tough game that could have swung either way. We could definitely learn a thing or two from this opposition, most notably their ability to maintain full concentration throughout the match. A worrying thought that despite Cornish arriving very early, the warm-up was slightly tepid and some stern words were needed to get the team going. Uncle Damo duely saw to this (backed up Joe McDavitt) and come kick off, we were ready. The first half hour was the best I have seen this 2’s team play this season, hard rucking and mauling by the forwards was duely backed up by a very strong backline. Uncle Damo and (a non-hungover) Scotty Lloyd crashing the ball up the middle to great effect, strong in the tackle giving that vital extra second for the back-row of MOM Will Ho, Chris Milne and Duncan “The clown” Morris to support and ensure clean ball for the next phase. With the pace and guile of a back three of Pete Knott, George Bramble and Matt Strover, Cornish was able to gain vital yards and the inevitable first score. A great backs move off clean ball from the lineout, with Pete Knott showing the benefits of great timing and running from depth – he cut right through the Warlingham defence to score under the posts. Try converted by Rookie From receiving the kick-off, we went straight back at Warlingham. Big Guns Reynolds spotting a flat defence and offloading the ball to Willie Ho to crash through, with Chris Milne in support, Cornish were able to drive the play back into the Warlingham twenty-two and put pressure on their defence. Despite Warlingham’s ability to repel the Cornish attack, they eventually buckled as Matt Strover received the ball out on his wing and was able to use strength and speed to force his way over the line for Cornish’s 2nd try. We were starting to build a gap between ourselves and Warlingham, which was further increased when good forward play enabled the Cornish pack to drive over from a lineout and for Si Wood to score his first (and last?) try of the season. Try was converted and it was 17-0 to Cornish. Alas though, as good as the first 30 min was, the next 30min was probably the worst I have seen this second team perform. The last 10min of the first half saw Warlingham in the ascendancy, with their defence holding strong and preventing two notable try scoring opportunities for Cornish. Plus their pack began to dominate the Cornish pack, who decided to take their foot off the pedal along with indiscipline ceeping in. This seriously hurting the team whilst also letting Warlingham off the hook by needlessly conceding penalties when in try-scoring positions.

Second half saw PC Dobbin come on in the row for a flustered Duncan Morris, with Uncle Jay moving to 6. Despite the warning signs, Cornish started the 2nd half sluggishly and with the wily half backs of Warlingham seeing much more ball this half as well as a strong wind behind them, they were beginning to exert their influence on the game. With a flat footed defence, the Warlingham 10 saw the space to chip through and the Warlingham 7 gleefully picked the ball up to score under the posts. The score 17-7 and Cornish were in the knowledge that they are now in for a fight. Not that Cornish were playing poorly for the second half, it was more the inconsistency. For 3 or 4 minutes at a time the team ticked and our attack surged forward only for the slippery conditions to cause that last pass to be dropped. The Cornish backline continued to be a threat but the support began to slack and at times, conceding turnovers from a Warlingham pack who were truly fired up now. A penalty conceded in front of the posts allowed Rookie to stretch the Cornish lead to 20-7. However poor recycling of the ball from the kick-off saw Warlingham turn the ball over and launch another attack. Despite some strong tackling, the Warlingham 10 again saw some space to chip through, and a nasty bounce meant that Matt Strover could do nothing to prevent Warlingham scoring in the corner. Kick was missed, Cornish lead 20-12. At this time, a couple more changes were made with Arran Pearson making his debut and replacing Big Guns at 9 and Tom Jeffrey coming on the wing to replace the injured Scotty Lloyd. Finally Cornish decided to up their aggression and play their way back up the pitch, although again try scoring opportunities were scuppered but another penalty was conceded just right of the posts which Rookie confidently slotted. 23-12 to Cornish with 10 min to play. Defence was the name of the game now and Cornish repelled wave after wave of attack from a Warlingham team who sensed they could steal the game. However their overzealousness to get that score some players isolating themselves from the support, allowing nasty back row critters like Chris Milne and Willie Ho to wrap up man and ball to gain those vital turnovers. A strong defensive last 10min saw Cornish hold out for what is a hard fought win. Not many teams in this league will get an easy ride at Warlingham this season and Cornish are certainly relieved with leaving there with a win.

Team : Si Wood, Ashley Holloway, Joe McDavitt, Jay Stirrett, Henry Howe, Duncan Morris (Rob Webster), Chris Milne, Will Ho, Jim ‘Big Guns’ Reynolds, Tom ‘Rookie’ Rooke (Arran Pearson), George Bramble, Damo Stirrett, Scott Lloyd (Tom Jeffrey), Matt Strover, Pete Knott


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