The Counts were missing over ten would-be starters, and their absence proved telling. Chipstead got off to a flying start, scoring three converted tries in the opening 15 minutes, and their dominance continued as their pack got the better of the Walcountians eight, and their backs repeatedly found holes in the Walcountians defence. Walcountians also made their task harder with misplaced kicks and failure to tackle and cover effectively.

Chipstead centre Harrison d’Antiquis scored a brace of tries, the first in the 25th minute following an interception and the second in the 36th minute as he outpaced the Walcountians defence. As half time approached, Chipstead ran in their sixth try when they retrieved an unsuccessful clearance kick and counter-attacked, putting in winger Owen Davis to score.

Walcountians were much more energised in the second half and but the Chipstead line under pressure in the opening ten minutes, with lock Jack Smart and flanker Dylan Camakamma putting in a strong shift in the forward battles. The Counts were unlucky not to get off the mark in the opening minute when debutant winger Karmanie Brown had a try disallowed after he narrowly put his foot in touch. But in the tenth minute, it was Chipstead who once again got on the scoresheet when their open side flanker Archie d’Antiquis backed up his threequarters to run in a try following the recycle of the ball from a ruck in the Walcountians 22.

Walcountians, to their credit, did not let their heads drop and limited Chipstead to just one more try in the 27th minute.

A bad day at the office was capped five minutes from full-time when Walcountians full-back Ted Stoner suffered a compound fracture of the leg after falling awkwardly in a tackle and had to be taken to hospital.

Next Saturday, Walcountians take on OH Exiles at Clock House, kicking off at 3pm.

Old Walcountians:- Stoner, Brown (K), Brown (M), Beaubrun, French, Moorhead, Bacon, Anderson, Dore, Harris, Smart, Harding, Henderson, Camakamma, Ford.
Subs:- Beeson, Charnock.