There was little to separate the two sides in the first half as both tackled solidly in defence. Walcountians had the edge in the set scrums where strong scrummaging by props James Ford and Paul Harris provided a robust platform. There were sound performances in the loose from flankers Tony French and Scott Stevens, while half-backs Hal Mogridge and Liam Moorhead probed relentlessly at the visitors’ defence. Unfortunately, Walcountians failed to make the best use of the opportunities created through poor handling and passing, the most notable example coming seven minutes into the game when the supporting threequarters blew a certain try-scoring opportunity after Scott Stevens’ break had opened up Whitgiftians.

It was Whitgiftians who took the lead in the 34th minute when scrum-half Max Brown scored an opportunist try through taking advantage of the breakdown in play, hacking the ball forward and winning the chase to the tryline.
Walcountians responded in the final minute before half-time when centre Spencer Moorhead made a drive for the line and set up a ruck, from which the ball was released to Hal Mogridge who, in turn, set up his half-back partner Liam Moorhead to go over for a try converted by centre Olly Sanders.

Hopes that Walcountians would bring their losing run to a halt were extinguished in the second half as Whitgiftians began to get their play in order. They retook the lead after just six minutes when forward support for a threequarter move saw No 8 Dan Lewis finish the move by going over for a try.

The visitors then piled on the misery for the Counts as wingers Ade Coker with two and Rupert Bradshaw with one ran in tries in the 15th, 18th and 26th minutes. This put Whitgiftians 22 points clear and effectively won them the match.

To their credit, Walcountians refused to give up and were rewarded with a second try in the 34th minutes when Spencer Moorhead offloaded to Hal Mogridge, who cut inside and left what remained of the Whitgiftians’ defence for dead. Once again, Olly Sanders converted.

Walcountians’ position in Counties League 2 Surrey has become increasingly perilous as they sit in 11th place and are seven points adrift from the next club. Next Saturday, Walcountians travel to Old Blues at Arthur Road, Motspur Park, kicking off at 2pm.

Old Walcountians:- Beaubrun, Stylianou, Sanders, Moorhead (S), Harrison, Mogridge, Moorhead (L), Ford, Camakamma, Harris, Lawrence, Smart, French, Blackmore, Stevens.

Subs:- Beeson, Henderson.