Warlingham’s U18s were in seventh heaven at the weekend, as they overwhelmed title rivals Esher with a seven-try performance to win 45-12 and take the Surrey county championship in their age group.

“That’s the culmination of 12 years’ age group rugby, and it is the first time we have ever won anything of significance – so it’s a great feeling,” said Robin Reid, the team manager.

The was a double celebration at Hamsey Green this week as another of Warlingham’s Academy sides, the under-16s, secured a hard-fought 15-5 win at Sutton and Epsom to secure the Surrey divisional title in their age group.

At under-18 level, Esher had gone into the showdown knowing that if they won the match, they would pip Warlingham to the Surrey age group league title.

But Warlingham never let them in to the game. “In truth, if we had take all our chances, the game would have been finished sooner – we butchered at least four tries,” Reid said.

Warlingham’s tries came from Josh Campbell, Sam Fullerlove, Ian Knott (2), Omar Dixon, Bradley Bosman and Chris Reid, with Ant Braithwaite kicking five conversions.

The London Irish academy, with strong links to the professional Premiership club, had dominated this age group for the past six years. Irish in this year group had been undefeated for eight years, until Warlingham dealt them a shock reversal earlier in the season, which set up the chance to win the Surrey title.

“Our squad at Esher on Sunday included five boys who have been with us from the very beginning – when they were under-7s,” Robin Reid said. “So to see four of them having played for the club’s senior first XV this season is a real tribute to the way they have grown together and improved their rugby over the years.”

Warlingham’s under-18s built an unbeaten record of their own, finishing the season undefeated, on a streak of 18 matches stretching back to March 2008.

With players drawn from several locals schools, including Riddlesdown, Reigate College and Trinity, it has been a big rugby year for many of the players. Warlingham’s squad includes several from John Fisher who got all the way to the semi-finals of the national schools Daily Mail Cup, while others at Caterham reached the quarter-finals of the Daily Mail Plate.

“We’re all be looking forward to the Surrey presentations night at Twickenham next month,” said Reid. “It will be a very well-deserved celebration for our hard-working coaches, Chris Castle, Paul Morris, Peter Knott and Richard Horton.”

Warlingham’s under-18s – after finishing runners-up in the recent Caterham Easter 7s – will now be favourites to win the annual Warlingham club 7s tournament, a festival of rugby being staged at Hamsey Green on Saturday.