Vandals had arrived at Warlingham wanting to continue to build on their preseason game v Woking.

With weather being poor mistakes were going to happen and it only took a few minutes for vandals to take advantage from an early Warlingham mistake. Stuart Howkins pounced on a split ball, some quick recycling of the ball by the forward and break by Jude James-Falconer saw John Morse score in corner for a well worked try 0-5 to the visitors. Con missed.

Warlingham restarted the game with a high hanging drop kick this was well taken by the forwards. Vandals push up the field with some well structured phases ends in Warlingham’s 22 but a knock on and Warlingham were able to clear from scrum.

Vandals continue to build pressure retaining the ball for consecutive phases. Warlingham concede a penalty. Dan Wellden put a kick into the corner. From just over 5m out James O’Neil collects the line out ball. The forwards rallies driving the ball over the try line with Richard Gostling claiming the try. Dan Wellden converts 0-12.

12 minutes into the game and confidence is high as vandals continue to build momentum. A mistake from vandals see a warlingham scrum. Lewis Razey strikes the ball against the head. Quick reactions from Dan Wellden see a change of attack down the blind side putting John Morse into the corner for his second try. Con miss 0-17

Warlingham manage to retain some possession of the ball pushing towards the vandals try line. But a turn over by vandals sees some slick passing between the backs. Greg Lynch break through the Warlingham lines scoring a great individual effort. Conversion kicked by Dan Wellden 0-24

Vandals quality continues to shine through with a break by u18’s debutante Javier Pimentel, an offload to Stuart Howkins who make a surging run through the midfield towards the Warlingham try line, shaking off a few dubious high tackles but eventually tackled short of the line. Two passes left and right and a try is guaranteed but a mistake by vandals sees a Warlingham scrum. Again Lewis Razey steals the ball against the head. Quick reactions from Martin Ullah as he nearly breaks a tackle but offloads Greg Lynch who goes under sticks for his second. Conversion kicked by Dan Wellden 31-0.

22minutes played and Vandals are now running rampant, every restart is collected and the team looks confident. With surging runs through the midfield from Anthony Tyrrell. Forward and backs linking together to break the Warlingham defence, but Warlingham scrambled back to deny Olly Day scoring holding him up short of the line. Warlingham were then able to clear there lines.

Scrum in the centre of the field provides a good opportunity to run some set plays. A well worked back line move see Dan Wellden pick out Olly Day who breaks his defenders tackle to sprint 50m to go under the sticks. Conversion by Dan Wellden 0-38.

33minutes in see Warlinghams first significant break into vandals half with some strong running from there forwards phase start to build. A Warlingham back breaks the vandals line with last ditch tackle Greg Lynch stopping the player on the vandals 5m. Stuart Howkins is the first to the ruck winning the for vandals. The ball is then cleared by Dan Wellden.

Olly Day continue to break though the Warlingham back line. With support either side of him, Olly pops the ball off to Dan Wellden who scored under the sticks. Conversion kicked by Dan Wellden 0-45.

With moments left to go in the half Lewis Razey steals another ball in the scrum. Dan Wellden spots space in behind the Warlingham back line and puts a kick into space for John Morse to collect but the bounce of the ball beats and goes into touch on the Warlingham 5m line.

0-45 half time

Vandals centres continue to break through Warlingham with some well worked backs moves and strong running. Jude James-Falconer not for the first time in the game breaks a couple of Warlingham tackles passes to Stuart Howkins in support who scores under posts. Conversion Dan Wellden 0-52

55min sees a poor clearance from by Warlingham. Jude James-Falconer collects and again runs hard at the Warlingham back line. A 2-1 is on the cards but the support isn't spotted and Jude is tackled short of the try line. The forwards recycle the ball. After a bit of a scramble the ball makes it across the back line where Olly Day in for his second in the corner. 0-57

Warlingham although down are by no means out. A strong run from Warlingham see another breaks but Greg Lynch saves vandals again with a last gasp tackle and Stuart Howkins is the first player there winning the ball for vandals as the Warlingham player holds onto the ball on the floor, Vandals then clear from the penalty.

Loose ball is collected by Olly Day, he links up well with Greg Lynch who is tackled close to the line. Lewis Razey is then put into space for a try under the sticks. Conversion Dan Wellden 0-64

Warlingham have there moment and capitalism on some sloppy defending by vandals. Warlingham forwards link up well to build some phases. Warlingham forwards bumble over the vandals line from close range. Warlingham concert 7-64

Vandals respond quickly to the disappointment of conceding. From open play vandals passing is swift through the back line seeing Olly day going in for his hat-trick try in the corner. 7-69

To finish off the vandals scoring a spilled ball by Warlingham. Sam Oujida pounces and some fine footballing skills to score in corner. 7-74

The last ten minutes of the game saw a number of well worked opportunities but vandals were unable to cross again. Some may say signs of hat-trick avoidance from John Morse. Although Vandals continue to make advances to the Warlingham Try line Vandals are unable to breakdown the Warlingham defence.

Today’s game lived up to the old saying of forwards win matches but backs dictate by how much. With good ball carrying from Anthony Tyrrell, Dan Doobs and Brad Melvin this gave the backs the platform to score from. A great start to the league for the 2nd XVs. With a number of players putting there hands up for 1st XV selection the signs are looking bright for the future.

Full time 7-74 (or 7-68 according to the referee)

Written by - Ashley Howkins