Counts edged out for second successive week

Walcountians made a strong start to the match with forwards Jonny Evans, Callum Tilleray and Will Thornton prominent in driving play into the Warlingham 22. The home side’s defence held out for the first 15 minutes and restricted the Counts to an unsuccessful penalty attempt from full-back Ross Norton but, in the 17th minute, the Counts finally made a breakthrough when quick second phase ball but winger Dharshan Vadivelu clear to touch down in the corner.

This awoke Warlingham from their tupour and they were level by the 23rd minute after left-winger Tom Webster evaded several attempted tackles to run in a try.

Both teams became level in another respect after 30 minutes when Walcountians centre Dany Abou-Zeid and Warlingham full-back Archie Warren were sent off after a scuffle.

Despite having to play up a slope and into the face of strong winds, Walcountians made a positive start to the second half when Ross Norton banged over a penalty after 4 minutes. But Walcountians hold on the lead was brief as Warlingham hit back with a try in the 12th minute started by an explosive break down the wing by Warlingham right-winger Jack Atkinson and supported by both backs and forwards.

Walcountians sent Warlingham a message that the match was far from over in the 15th minute when scrum-half Seb Chmielinski threw a long pass to unmarked winger Ed Bellringer who stormed in to score a try. But the home side were also fired up and started to lay siege to the Walcountians line. They were rewarded with a concluding try in the 30th minute from a second phase move.

The last 10 minutes saw Walcountians launch a last-ditch effort to salvage the game as it was their turn to lay siege to Warlingham’s line. A try by flanker Rob Fleming after taking an offload from skipper Will Thornton tok the Counts to within one point of their hosts and they could have won the match when Dharshan Vadivelu made a spectacular break from his own half, only to be brought down in the Warlingham 22.

Walcountians remain in fourth place in London League 3 South West and now stand no realistic chance of promotion. Next Saturday, they have another difficult fixture when they take on League leaders Petersfield. The match kicks off at Clock House, Carshalton Road, Woodmansterne at 2:30pm.

Old Walcountians:- Norton, Vadivelu, Wrightson, Abou-Zeid, Bellringer, Cleary, Chmielinski, Evans, Tilleray, Selvarajah, Thornton, Thomas, Lawrence, Fleming, Brown.

Subs:- Bell, Harris, Sparks.