Expectations were high for the Counts following two impressive performances in friendlies. However, they started the match without two key forwards in James Ford and Joe Lawrence, and centre George Charnock was another absentee for work reasons. After two early penalty attempts from winger Jacob Appleyard were off target, Walcountians found themselves put on the defensive by a Bec pack who ran with determination and supported each other, along with fly-half Rob Bolton whose tactical boot repeatedly sent the Counts back into their own half. To their credit, Walcountians tackled well and held out the visitors, but they seldom looked like crossing the Bec line.

In the tenth minute of time added on, Bolton finally gave Bec the lead when he banged over a penalty.

The second half was only three minutes old when Walcountians went further behind. Bec’s powerful No 8 Elis Jenkins broke from a scrum and shook off an attempted tackle to put his threequarter line in for a try.

Walcountians suffered a further setback when lock Luke Bignell suffered a shoulder injury, and two more penalties from the boot of Rob Bolton extended Bec’s lead to 14 points. The Counts did themselves no favours by failing to support breaks and letting promising moves break down with poor handling and passing, and they also failed to make sufficient use of their most potent runner in winger Omarie Brown. Despite a late surge which forced Bec to defend their line for the first time in the match, Walcountians were never able to get off the mark.

Next Saturday, Walcountians turn their attention to the Counties Community Cup, in which they face Counties League 2 Surrey rivals Old Blues. The match also marks the 60th anniversary of the opening of Walcountians’ ground and clubhouse at Clock House, Carshalton Road, Woodmansterne, and will be preceded by a commemorative lunch. The match kicks off at 3pm.

Old Walcountians:- Mogridge, Brown, Fletcher-Rogers, Beaubrun, Appleyard, Moorhead, Bacon, Tilleray, Marsh, Bell, Henderson, Bignell, Charnock, Togbolah, Bateman.

Subs:- Anderson, Camakamma, Redwood.