Walcountians stay top after try blitz destroys Haileyburians

The Counts were well aware that the visitors, despite their lowly position in the League, had beaten their main challengers for promotion, Law Society, twice this season, and it was Haileyburians who struck first with an early try.

Walcountians’ response was swift and immediate. Centre Johnny Wehbe levelled the score with a try and the Counts were soon in front after a sniping break by scrum-half Seb Chmielinski was supported by the Walcountians backline which put full-back Dharshan Vadivelu in for a try.
The visitors remained a threat with the ball in hand and levelled the score with their second try of the day, and Walcountians were thankful for the boot of fly-half Harry Wrightson who banged over a brace of penalties to give them a six point advantage at half-time.

The second half saw Walcountians transformed as they turned their advantage of possession into points and annihilated a stunned Haileyburians. A repeat of the move which saw Dharshan Vadivelu score in the first half put centre Heath Bateman in for a try. Then replacement flanker Brendan Murphy got on the scoresheet as he charged over to finish a lengthy period of pressure in which the Counts lay siege to the Haileyburians line.

As the match progressed towards full-time, a ruthless Walcountians put Haileyburians to the sword with three more tries. The first came from hooker Rob Fleming who went over from a short lineout move. Dharshan Vadivelu scored his second try of the day shortly afterwards and the final score was the second of the day for Brendan Murphy who scored after a spectacular break down the left hand flank.

Next Saturday, Walcountians face probably their most important match of the season when they take on promotion rivals Law Society. Kick-off at Windsor Avenue, New Malden, is at 2:30pm.

Old Walcountians:- Vadivelu, Stylianou, Bateman, Wehbe, McMullen, Wrightson, Chmielinski, Harris, Fleming, Claustres, Thornton, Thomas, Le Masurier, Bellringer, Henderson (Joe).

Subs:- Anderson, Henderson (James), Murphy.