Counts lose after early promise

The Counts’ injury crisis has not abated and several players were either playing in unfamiliar positions or were called up from the 2nd XV. However, they started the first half with a flourish and immediately had Eastbourne having to defend their line. The return of skipper Joe Henderson gave Walcountians considerable authority in the lineouts where they won several opposition throw-ins as well as their own, while Henderson, along with Tom Brown and Olly Sanders, led a formidable charge by the Walcountians forwards who displayed excellent support play as drove the Eastbourne pack into their own 22. The Counts were also well-served by fly-half Kieran Kavanagh who pinned Eastbourne backwards with several accurate and well-judged tactical kicks.

However, it was Eastbourne who took the lead after 25 minutes when fly-half Aaron Hossack banged over a penalty.

Walcountians’ response was almost automatic. A tap penalty close to the Eastbourne line gave Joe Henderson the opportunity to drive over for a well-deserved try in the 30th minute. At the break, there was optimism that Walcountians’ much-changed side would record a much-needed win.

Unfortunately, the second half saw Eastbourne respond with an impressive comeback. They hit Walcountians with two quick tries in the 10th and 13th minutes, the first coming from No 8 Jerry Montes when he broke from a 5-metre scrum, the second from winger Luca Bianchi after an offload from Montes set him up.

A towering penalty from full-back Hal Mogridge in the 15th minutes gave the Counts hope that they might salvage the match. But the final quarter saw the Counts forced onto the back foot as the Eastbourne scrum began to take control of the match, and tries from Aaron Hossack who sliced through a gap in the Walcountians’ defence and Luca Bianchi, who ran onto a cleverly-judged cross-kick from Hossack sealed victory for the home side.

Walcountians’ next match is on 2 March when they take on Weybridge Vandals. Kick-off at Clock House, Carshalton Road, Woodmansterne is at 3pm.