The Counts looked on course for a comfortable win in the first half as they dominated both possession and territory, with forwards Kieran Clarke, Sam Charnock and Heath Bateman in his 100th appearance prominent in driving play into the visitors’ 22. However, Walcountians failed to make sufficient use of this bounty, and it took until 15 minutes into the game for them to open the score. No 8 Heath Bateman successfully broke the Whitgiftians defensive line and put fly-half Ben French in for a try which French converted himself.

Walcountians were stunned when Whitgiftians, with their first foray into the Walcountians 22, levelled the scores with winger Joe Davis finishing off a textbook threequarter move by going over for a try converted by fly-half Jordan Lewis.

Walcountians were back in the lead by the break when energetic flanker Sam Charnock held off three attempted tackles to touch down in the 34th minute. But that was to be Walcountians’ high point of the day. As the second half started, Whitgiftians started to put their game together and Walcountians found themselves defending for much of the second half. Eleven minutes into the second half, the visitors took the lead as sustained pressure led to a converted try.

As the second half progressed, Walcountians’ play became increasingly ragged, with passes dropped, kicks miscued and penalties conceded. Whitgiftians took full advantage with two more tries in the 28th and 36th minute which put them out of reach.

Walcountians had one last flourish in the 37th minute when winger Omarie Brown ran onto an offload from replacement full-back Hal Mogridge and scored their third try of the day. Unfortunately, it was too late to change the result.

Next Saturday, Walcountians take on Old Blues at Dormans Fields, Arthur Road, Motspur Park, kicking off at 3pm.

Old Walcountians:- Fletcher-Rogers, Beaubrun, Moorhead, Sanders, Brown, French (B), Bacon, Ford, Stevens, Bell, Lawrence, Clarke, French (A), Charnock, Bateman.

Subs:- Harrison, Mogridge, Smart.