After a three week break from competitive rugby Warlingham took a while to get into gear on their first ever visit to Heathfield & Waldren, newly promoted this season, and came away with a 22-6 win.

However, the home side were a well drilled unit and had best of the first quarter being rewarded with a successful penalty after 10 minutes.

Warlingham's captain, James Agate marshalled his troops and with a mighty kick took them deep into the Heathfield 22. Warlingham's pack were in the ascendancy prop Tony Williams and lock Luke Delderfield driving hard at the opposition.

Fellow lock James Delderfield tackled with his usual ferociousness and the returning-from-injury hooker Dan Street showed the aggression of a pit bull terrier.

All this was to no avail as Heathfield defended stoutly and Warlingham were penalised by the pedantic referee.

A slick handling phase took play into the home 22 but, when flanker Zac King was clear to the line the referee adjudged forward pass and the impetus faded.

It was only after a jinxing run by winger Jon Osborne that Warlingham again looked dangerous and the home side were forced to infringe. Agate took the opportunity to slot home the kick to draw the sides level as the half time whistle sounded.

Playing against the wind and sun in the second half, Warlingham re-discovered their recent form and took the game to the home side with some sparkling back play instigated by university student No 10, Harry Wrightson.

With Heathfield on the back foot centre Ben Wimble did an impressive pin-ball impression, bouncing off several defenders to score the first try. Agate's easy conversion failed.

Warlingham's back line was on fire and, after several phases Osborne did the necessary by rounding the defence for a try. This time Agate added to extras.

Warlingham's collective tails were up and their greater league experience showed and when centre Tom Street ripped out the ball from his opposite number replacement scrum half Oli Doe put up a perfect high kick for full back Joe McEvoy to scoot through for the third and final try which Agate converted.

After the game, team manager Tony Barrington-Doe said: "Confidence is flowing back into the team and they know there is more to come from them, but our fitness levels have to be higher to compete with the top teams in this league."

Next Saturday, Warlingham host Aylesford Bulls who toppled runaway League leaders East Grinstead last Saturday.

Warlingham: Abou-Zeid, D Street, Williams, L Delderfield, J Delderfield, Robson, King, Fair, Agate (capt), Wrightson, Wimble, T Street, Osborne, Saffery, A Skinner.

Subs: McEvoy, Murphy, Doe.