The Counts were still missing several normal starting players, so prop Ben Worsley was recalled and lock George Orji made his debut. Less than an hour before kick-off, George Charnock had to drop out because of urgent work commitments so Dan McFall, who was on standby for a regular player whose domestic circumstances potentially required him to drop out at short notice, joined Orji in making his debut.

The opening ten minutes were a disaster for Walcountians as Worth took the lead with a converted try by full-back Ewan Massingham in the sixth minute while fly-half Toby Purvis added a try four minutes later. However, the Counts picked themselves up and, in the 17th minute, narrowed Worth’s lead when Dan McFall crashed over for a try from a tap penalty.

Walcountians suffered a setback in the 31stt minute when Joe Worsley joined the long list of Walcountians props out injured when he had to leave the field after suffering an accidental blow to the head, Jamie Blackmore replacing him. But Walcountians if anything upped their effort and, three minutes later, took the lead when they were awarded a penalty try. And just before half-time, McFall scored his second try of the day by snapping up loose ball from a scrum on the Worth line and crashing over for a try which full-back Jacob Appleyard converted.

The home side narrowed the Counts’ lead to two points when their No 8 Harry Homer crashed over for a try from a tap penalty seven minutes into the second half. But the remainder of the match saw Walcountians increasingly take charge. The Counts pack, with props Callum Tilleray and Dom Bell scrummaging strongly and replacement flanker Scott Bird prominent in the loose, dominated possession, Jacob Appleyard repeatedly made ground with a succession of thunderous kicks upfield and the backline put in a series of robust tackles to deny Worth any opportunity to close down on the Counts’ line.

Walcountians sealed victory in the closing minutes when Jacob Appleyard firstly struck a penalty, then finished off a six-man overlap with a try.

Next Saturday, Walcountians take on local rivals Chipstead in another League clash. Kick-oof at The Meads, High Road, Chipstead is at 3pm.

Old Walcountians:- Appleyard, Sanders, Fletcher-Rogers, Beaubrun, Brown, Harding, Bacon, Worsley, Tilleray, Bell, Orji, Charnock (S), Togbolah, Henderson, McFall.

Subs:- Bird, Blackmore, Camakamma.