Last qrt rally takes Vandals so close........

To the neutral this was a hugely entertaining match but to Vandals, despite a stirring fight back in the last twenty minute, they will be rueing the minutes leading up to half time and the third quarter of the game, where they went from leading by 15 points to 3 to trailing by 32 points to 15. It was a remarkable turn round for Warlingham which ultimately brought them victory, but they were forced to dig deep as Vandals, led by an exuberant and inspired captain, Adam Bullett, roared back into the attack, scoring two tries and looking as if they could get the winning points in the last few minutes, but somehow Warlingham hung onto their slender advantage. Vandals were the more threatening early on with a number of players carrying well, notably centre Harry Reed, back after a long layoff, flanker John Cottam, adding a lot of zip to the back row, lock Anthony Tyrell and Winger Luka Trevillone who showed his turn of pace in the opening phases. It was Cottam and fly half Harry Weatherall, tough, who made the initial breakthrough with the latter converting a penalty. From the restart, Bullet made ground and Trevillone was then given space by his inside backs to score a try, which Weatherall converted. Vandals were in control at this stage, and but for a couple of handling errors could well have increased their lead. They did eventually score a second try, well taken by centre James Hannath, but not before Warlingham had opened their account with a penalty. Leading by 15 points to 3 Vandals then let this lead slip, as Warlingham piled on the pressure up front, particularly in the driving mauls, and it was from a line out catch and drive that they went over for their first try, well converted by their fly half. Right on half time they narrowed Vandals lead to two points with a penalty, resulting from another driving maul.

Flanker George Shannon set up an early chance for Vandals at the start of the second half with a kick to the corner, but the line out was lost, and it was then Warlingham who could have gone ahead, but their normal reliable kicker was off target. An injury to Cottam, forcing his retirement, was a setback to Vandals, as well as his replacement Luke Dones deputised, but it was at this point that Warlingham began to dominate. Another driving line out gave them a scrum, and at the set piece Vandals conceded a penalty try. Minutes later they were turned over in a good attacking position and their defence was caught wanting as Warlingham counter attacked from deed to score again. From the restart Vandals knocked on, and from the scrum Warlingham kicked long forcing Vandals to hastily clear their lines, and once again Warlingham exercised their driving line out to go over for their fifth try, stretching their lead to 17 points they appeared well in command and to run out comfortable winners, but they reckoned without Vandals resolve and tenacity, the rest of the game belonged entirely to them as they threw caution to the wind, and attached at every opportunity with some thrilling and exhilarating rugby. First Weatherall, capping a fine performance, scored, to reduce the deficit to twelve points, and then Bullet set up his fly half again for a second try, after his penetrating run had caused disarray in Warlingham’s defence. Weatherall converted this second try, and with four minutes remaining Vandals still had a chance to snatch a last gasp victory. It was indeed Warlingham who were relieved to hear the referee blow for a n-side as Vandals were pressing had for that vital score.

Their next match is 3rd March, away to New Milton district, now takes on an added importance. The players will be determined to get a second victory over the Hampshire side and repay coach, Merlin O’Donnell, whose tireless efforts throughout the season deserve to be rewarded, not just in this forthcoming game, but in the remaining fixtures of the 2017/18 campaign.