The mighty Warl is tamed

This local derby was a fitting end to a magnificent Marlin team. Who came off the blocks with open rugby at its best. Despite Warlingham boasting a formidable pack, and almost twice the tonnage, PJFRFC were determined to play their brand of rugby. As it was noted by the on-lookers after the game, PJFRFC seemed to effortlessly put away larger than life characters in more ways than one.

PJFRFC took the lead through a try by Kareem, who did well to break through a couple of tackles from the mighty Warl back row forwards, and ran 40 yards to score under the post. This dominance by the back's continued with the centre pairing of Jamie and Reem, who with time could emulate, Bunce and Little from the 90's. This dominance in midfield was aptly supported by Trumper as full back and Del and Tom Browne on the wings. The second try for PJFRFC also came from the backs, whose support play kept the ball alive for Reem to score under the post, though Simon Cripps couldn't convert on this occasion. PJFRFC kept the ball alive and were now becoming audacious in starting to play attacking rugby from deep in their own half, and on such an occasion, early phases by Mawer, Ben Tompkins and Dan Wright along with Aden in support helped set up Kareem for his hatrick, and comfortably the highest try scorer in the league. This seemed to wake up the sleeping Walrus, and the big fellas decided to throw themselves about, and with Marlins missing their second row forwards, found themselves defending marauding mauls from 22 yards and beyond, by a hefty Warlingham pack. PJFRFC did well to defend through Dan Wright, Aden and Ben Tompkins, though eventually tired and conceded a try. Warlingham now aware of the chink in the PJF armour exploited this to good effect. PJFRFC made their task easier through conceding penalties, as a few players were playing out of position. Warlingham scored a second try through a rolling maul from 15 yards out. The score 17-10 in favour of PJFRFC, the first half came to a close.

The second half saw a new referee, and again free flowing rugby, though Warlingham requested a breathylser on the referee!! when playing advantage was interpreted as delayed reflexes! This led to a Warlingham player offering to officiate and the game came alive again, with Warlingham wanting to play set piece rugby, and PJFRFC wanting to play open rugby and not get sucked into mauling the opponents!! The next 15 minutes were evenly balanced with PJFRFC pegged down in their own half for long periods, having to defend against big runners, and did well through Dan Wright and Aden in back row and with Crippsy contributing along with Trumper. Robocop Rob had to spend most of the first half on the touch line, due to an injury, but came back at half time to add discipline to the backs and Marshall the forwards. PJFRFC were now showing superior match fitness, having played 23 games, and were now managing to play their attacking brand of rugby again. Rob broke away and set up the forwards, with Mawer in support, who then slipped the ball to Jules to score under the post. This seemed to break the shackles and PJFRFC started to play through a few phases, and the frustrated Warlingham pack started to show indiscipline, culminating in their larger than life second row being sent off for successive high tackles. This didn't deter Ben Tompkins, who broke through several tackles to let Del loose to score another try for PJFRFC.

PJFRFC looked indomitable now and took better control of the scrums through veteran Dave Mole, instructing his pack of forwards to finish the game on a high, and were able to turn a few scrums against formidable opposition. Thus it ended with PJFRFC taking the spoils and league winners (29-10). A gruelling season with 24 games though, one where perseverance and team spirit prevailed with no hand bags on the pitch. A testament to this maturing Marlins team, with youth at the helm next season in Paddy O'Neill, much can be expected next season. Go the Fish!!