Slick Bromley overcome battling Counts

The Counts were buoyed up by their convincing opening win against Belsize Park the week before but they found Bromley to be a completely different proposition. The home side were totally dominant in the opening 10 minutes, winning the scrums at will and unleashing their pacy backline. Desperate defence by Walcountians held Bromley at bay until, in the 13th minute, their fullback joined a threequarter move and outpaced the Walcountians defence to touch down for a try.

Walcountians however did not lack resolution and took the game to the home side. Although coming off second best in the set pieces, the Counts dominated the rucks and loose play with forwards Callum Tilleray, Tom Brown and Joe Henderson outstanding. There were narrow near-misses when winger Marvin Fletcher-Rogers and hooker Callum Tilleray were denied scores but, in the 20th minute, lock Tom Brown levelled the scores when he drove over for a try from a ruck on the Bromley line.

Bromley regained the lead in the 25th minute when a switch in the direction of play saw their right-winger cross for a try. However, Walcountians levelled the score for the second time when Jonny Evans made a blind-side break and touched down for a try which replacement fly-half Ross Lever converted.

Unfortunately, for the Counts, two critical errors shortly before half-time allowed Bromley to build a 14-point cushion. The first came when a high tackle resulted in Bromley being awarded a penalty try. The second came when a loose pass was picked up by Bromley’s right-winger who had an open run for the tryline.

Bromley extended their lead in the 13th minute of the second half when a counter-attack from their own half was finished off by their outside-centre. This however spurred Walcountians into replying with two tries in just four minutes and closing the gap to a single score. The first saw Tom Brown go over in the 16th minute after taking an offload from Marvin Fletcher-Rogers, while the second came from Fletcher-Rogers who twisted his way out of a tackle to score in the 20th minute.

Bromley sensed the danger from Walcountians and upped their effort in the final quarter of the match. Their distribution and support work was outstanding and they took advantage of some sloppy passing by the Walcountians midfield backs. A try from their left-winger in the 25th minute calmed nerves on the touchline and, although Walcountians responded again in the 29th minute when Jonny Evans scored his second try of the day, Bromley wrapped up their win with a further try in stoppage time.

Despite the loss, Walcountians can be encouraged by the performances of some of their new players. Established forwards Tom Brown, Jonny Evans, Joe Henderson and Callum Tilleray have lost none of their enthusiasm, while Michael Acquah put in another robust performance at prop after coming on. There was also a strong performance from tall Argentinian lock Tomas Saladino but, unfortunately, he will be returning home before the League season starts.

Walcountians will need to tighten up their passing game in the backs before the League season starts as poor distribution led to several potential scoring opportunities going begging, as well as giving Bromley gilt-edged opportunities. However, there was much encouragement from the performance of Ross Lever in the key pivotal position of fly-half.

Walcountians have no match next weekend. On 16 September, they start their Counties League 1 Surrey/Sussex campaign when they take on Trinity at Clock House, kicking off at 3pm.

Old Walcountians:- Moorhead (S), Fletcher-Rogers, Murphy, French (A), Barnaby, French (B), Moorhead (L), Evans, Tilleray, Blackmore, Brown, Lawrence, Housden, Henderson, Bellringer.

Subs:- Acquah, Beeson, Camakamma, Downes, Erhirhie, Le Masurier, Lever, Saladino, Stoner.