Warlingham went down to a 17-9 defeat at Sevenoaks in their latest London Division Two South East clash on Saturday.

Right from the referee's whistle to start the game, Sevenoaks signalled their appetite to win this critical league game by immediately piling on the pressure against Warlingham.

Within two minutes they were camped on the visitors line and a swift recycling of the ball gave their back line some space and a converted try put Warlingham on the back foot for the rest of the afternoon.

With the majority of possession and territory Sevenoaks always looked dangerous but after they missed a penalty attempt Warlingham came back with some good rucking and mauling with captain Tom Street and his pack gaining sufficient ground for centre Joe Chivers to get them on the scoreboard with a penalty for offside.

A Sevenoaks player was yellow-carded for 'unnecessary retaliation after a tackle' but, even with the one man advantage, Warlingham were unable to break out of their own half and Sevenoaks stretched their lead with a penalty for offside.

Although Warlingham tried to break free from the home side strangle-hold they never looked like breaking the stout Sevenoaks defence - who have not leaked a try in their past three league games.

Warlingham's defence has, of late, been impregnable but, for a second time, Sevenoaks stretched the visitors back line and their right wing slipped over for the second try. The very difficult conversion was successful.

Just before the half time whistle, and against the run of play, Chivers added a second penalty for Warlingham.

It was more of the same after the break, with Sevenoaks being quicker to the breakdown and more effective in recycling the ball.

Although Jon Wright and Richard Melford, Warlingham's locks, took control of the lineouts, too many turn over balls and lack of numbers at the breakdown, allowed Sevenoaks to continue their domination.

Full-back James Agate took the play back to the hosts on several occasions but lack of support meant the moves came to nothing.

A third penalty from Chivers was the only score in the second half despite some spirited forward play from the Warlingham pack.

A number of forays into the Sevenoaks 22 were snuffed out by their tough defence which was equalled by Warlingham in the final minutes when the strong Sevenoaks winger James Garcia was hauled down within inches of the Warlingham line.

After the game, Warlingham coach Bill Maynard said: "There's alot of ability and skill in the team but today they didn't focus and we need to sharpen our awareness on the pitch.”

Sevenoaks move to third, and Warlingham drop to fourth in the League, but both clubs will have their work cut out to overhaul Tonbridge and Hove who head the table.

Warlingham: Delderfield, Street, Scott,Melford, Wright, Booth, Dowling, Wiseman,Perkins, Walsh, Stamp, Chivers, Edwards,Griffiths, Agate, Subs, Robson,Townsend, Doe

Next Saturday Warlingham are at home to tenth place Bromley and then on the 19th host Purley John Fisher in the keenly fought annual local derby.