Few people would have forecast a defeat was on the cards after the Counts made a flying start in the opening 10 minutes and completely dominated the home side. During this period, they took the lead when a well-worked threequarter move found its way to winger Marvin Fletcher-Rogers who went over for a try.

The shock of going behind brought Hamptonians to life and the Counts soon found out why their opponents have gone to the top of the League. The quality of their forwards’ support play and offloading, along with the expansive game played by their backs, put Walcountians under pressure, and tries in the 15th, 34th and 36th minutes, along with a penalty from winger Max Vyvyan, gave Hamptonians a 15-point lead at the break.

The second half exposed further weaknesses in Walcountians’ game, in particular, poor support work and backing up and failure to make tackles count, which gave Hamptonians an advantage they happily exploited. Tries in the 5th, 13th and 20th minutes of the second half took their points total to 39, effectively making it impossible for Walcountians to recover. To their credit, the Counts rallied in the final quarter of the match and put the Hamptonians line under pressure, but the only reward came in the 28th minute when lock Dom Bell took an offload from a ruck and drove through the defensive cover to touch down for a try.

Careless distribution was to prove costly for Walcountians as they gifted Hamptonians a further try in the 38th minute through an interception which put winger Jamie Lashley clear for a try.

Next Saturday, Walcountians take a break from the League as they take on London Media in the Surrey Knockout Plate. Kik-off at Battersea Park is at 3pm.

Old Walcountians:- Mogridge, Fletcher-Rogers, Bacon, Beaubrun, Sanders, Moorhead, Appleyard, Marsh, Blackmore, Ford, Bell, Thomas, Togbolah, Charnock, Lawrence.

Subs:- Anderson, Camakamma, French.