Save some for the rest of us Ben!

Saturday saw a feast of rugby at Clockhouse, with Old Walcountians fielding three senior sides at home for the first time this season. Anticipation was rife in the clubhouse with almost 60 Walcountians, young and old, suiting up for the final run-out of the season.

The second team were hosts to a buoyant Streatham & Croydon side, sat second in the league. Following a bumpy November, the Counts knew they needed to get their season back on track and end what had been a hugely positive 2017.

Whether through fear of the impending Christmas Court, or the injection of a 1st XV warm-up, the Counts flew out of the blocks. Two tries to the good within the first 10 minutes, with prop Ben Anderson powering over from close-range and a quick-tap penalty snipe from scrum half Andy Gill. Skipper Tom Harrison added the extras for both, giving the home side an early 14-0 lead.

A loose clearance kick saw Streatham & Croydon run in a counter score but the theme of the half would soon continue with Walcountians’ ferocious defence – typified by loose forwards Andy Le Masurier and Matt ‘Goon’ Houghton – building a platform for further points. Additional tries came for the unstoppable Anderson and replacement number eight Shaun Shaw, driving through a rolling maul to get himself a try in his first appearance in four years.

Streatham & Croydon refused to lie down though and, following some elusive play from the fullback, their fly-half broke through a last-ditch tackle to score under the sticks. Half time score 31-12.

The second half began much the same as the first with the Counts forward pack providing a rock solid platform for some slick backs play. Big carries from prop David Gordon and hooker Calum George punched holes in the Streatham & Croydon defence, giving the hosts a momentum that wouldn’t be reversed.

After several promising breaks from deep by wingers Tom McCulloch and Spencer Moorhead, McCulloch finally got a deserved score, pirouetting out of contact to dot down out wide. Tireless support work from back row Gerry Connor then saw him cross the whitewash, completing a flowing team move sparked by the soft-hard combo of centres Stuart Jenkins and Jake Ayres.

Further tries were to come for full-back James Tutton, who cut a lovely, arcing line from winger Will Cole’s elusive break. Cole would then complete an eye-catching debut with a score of his own, beating four defenders on the way to the line. More hard work work in the loose from second rows Pete Thomas and Tom Thornton saw the ball go through hands to Anderson to complete a remarkable four-try haul for the veteran front row.

The referee’s whistle brought an end to proceedings, S&C finishing with 14 after an injury to their scrum half; a brave performance in defeat but no match for a Counts side brimming with confidence. The Walcountians 2nd XV now look to the second half of the season knowing, at full strength, they will be a serious match for any side in the league. Final score 65-12.