Battling Counts go down after testing League leaders

The match had been rearranged from two weeks’ previously after snow had forced a cancellation and, one again, Arctic conditions prevailed. Walcountians were missing no less than six regular players with skipper Will Thornton, Ed Armitage, Clive Kennedy, Anthony Abou-Zeid, Tom Housden and Ollie Dodwell all unavailable. However, the Counts lacked nothing in spirit and pushed the League leaders all the way in the first half, with winger Marvin Fletcher-Rogers scoring a fine try after being put clear by fine approach work by full-back Dharshan Vadivelu. Scrum-half Tom McMullen added a penalty, but Whitgiftians scored a converted try and a penalty to hold a two-point lead at the break.

Walcountians’ forwards had a purple patch of form early in the second half where powerful ball-carrying and support play, in which props Luke Raynor and Remy Claustres and lock Dom Bell led the way, drove them into the home side’s 22, from which flanker Joe Henderson drove through the Whitgiftians’ defensive cover for a try. Unfortunately, the Counts were unable to sustain the attacking momentum and Whitgiftians took command in the closing stages and drew away with two more tries and a brace of penalties to win.

Walcountians are now fifth in Surrey League 1 and are one of seven teams which could potentially face relegation. Next Saturday, Walcountians take on bottom side Old Blues at Arthur Road, Motspur Park in a match they need to win. Kick-off is at 2:30pm.

Old Walcountians:- Vadivelu, Fletcher-Rogers, Barnaby, Wrightson, Stylianou, Charnock, McMullen, Raynor, Fleming, Claustres, Thomas, Bell, Dunne, Henderson, Evans.

Subs:- Chislett, Simmonds (C), Simmonds (S).