Below-strength Counts lose League opener

The Counts were missing several first-choice players, many of whom were in France for the World Cup. Key forwards Dom Bell, Jonny Evans and Rob Fleming and experienced backs Marvin Fletcher-Rogers, Hal Mogridge, Dharshan Vadivelu and Harry Wrightson were all unavailable. Although the replacements had previous 1st XV experience, Walcountians struggled in the set pieces and shaky handling and passing meant that possession they gained was not exploited to the full extent.

However, it was the Counts who drew first blood as early as the sixth minute. Winger Andy Togbolah charged down a kick by his opposite number and recovered possession to put powerful centre Dom Barnaby away to shake off the Trinity defensive cover and touch down for a try.
In a game dominated by breakdown of play and the award of penalties, Trinity made better use of their possession and put the Walcountians defence under pressure. Solid defensive tackling by the Counts held them at bay until the 30th minute when Trinity No 8 Farooq Agbalaya broke from the base of a 5-metre scrum and touched down for a converted try.

Walcountians were back in the lead three minutes later when fly-half Ross Lever kicked a penalty but, as the match went into stoppage time, Trinity went back in front when winger Jim Duffy scored an easy try after drifting clear of the Walcountians defensive cover.

In a match which lasted two hours because of repeated water breaks because of the high temperature, Trinity extended their lead in the fifth minute of the second half with a penalty from fly-half Dan Crouch. Thereafter, the match descended into a battle of attrition as Walcountians tried to reduce the deficit. The Counts pack got the better of the exchanges in the loose with hooker Callum Tilleray, No 8 Tom Brown and skipper Joe Henderson excelling in the exchanges but, behind the scrum, too many opportunities were squandered and pacy winger Omarie Brown only had one significant try-scoring opportunity when he was put clear on the wing and narrowly missed on scoring a try with a kick-and-chase.

As the match went into time added on, the Walcountians midfield finally clicked and set up and opportunity for Dom Barnaby to score his second try of the day, bouncing off two attempted tacklers on the way. This put the Counts within reach of winning the match. However, the final world was with Trinity who sealed victory with a second penalty.

Next Saturday, Walcountians travel to Arthur Road, Motspur Park to take on KCS Old Boys who were relegated from Regional 2 South East last season.

Old Walcountians:- Kavanagh, Brown (O), Barnaby, Bateman, Togbolah, Lever, Downes, Ford, Tilleray, Harris, Sanders, Lawrence, Housden, Henderson, Brown (T).

Subs:- Acquah, Camakamma, Ofili.