The Counts, coming off their biggest win for two seasons, made a lightning-quick start to the match by opening a ten-point lead in the opening 10 minutes. The first came after just three minutes when hooker James Ford took an offload from a tap penalty close to the Chipstead line and barrelled his way over. Four minutes later, the Counts extended their lead when fly-half George Charnock broke from his own half and wrong-footed the Chipstead defence to put centre Andy Togbolah clear to outpace the remaining Chipstead defenders and touch down.

Chipstead however responded to the challenge strongly. Their powerful and well-drilled pack put Walcountians under pressure in both the set scrums and the loose play, while their aggressive blitz defence forced Walcountians into several errors. The visitors also benefitted from a penalty count in their favour as Walcountians were forced into mistakes in the rucks.

It took Chipstead just ten minutes to reduce Walcountians’ lead when a reverse pass enabled centre Kieran Green to split open the Counts’ defence and touch down for a converted try.

Nine minutes later, Chipstead gained the lead for the first time when winger Tom Goater was put clear to score a try by a long pass to the wing, and they extended their lead five minutes into the second half when centre Chris Lipczyski finished off a threequarter move.

Walcountians did not lack determination and their efforts began to be rewarded late in the second half as Chipstead’s pack started to tire. However, the loss of both try scorers Andy Togbolah and James Ford to injuries, along with new prop Ben Worsley, did not help their cause.
Walcountians still had an outside chance of victory when, with five minutes of normal time left, full-back Hal Mogridge rifled a cross-kick across to the left wing where winger Omarie Brown got to the ball first for a try. However, it was Chipstead who had the final word as the match ran into stoppage time when prop Ryan Dupe drove over for a try from a ruck close to the Counts line.

Defeat has resulted in Walcountians dropping to eighth place in Counties League 2 Surrey, although they are well clear of the drop zone. They have a two-week break before their next match against Old Whitgiftians on 1 March at Croham Road, Croydon, kicking off at 3pm.

Old Walcountians:- Mogridge, Sanders, Moorhead, Togbolah, Brown, Charnock (G), Bacon, Worsley, Ford, Bell, Thomas, Lawrence, Charnock (S), Camakamma, Bird.

Subs:- Blackmore, Stoner, Tilleray.