Although the Walcountians pack, anchored by a strong performance by the front row of Dan Bell, Remy Claustres and Steve Cowlin, got the better of the set pieces from the start, Wimbledonians showed better control of the ball in the loose and put Walcountians under pressure. Walcountians did not help themselves by conceding a series of penalties and it was Wimbledonians who took the lead after four minutes with a penalty.

Walcountians nevertheless held Wimbledonians until the 38th minute when their inside-centre rounded Walcountians’ defence after being put away from a second-phase move.

Worse was to follow for Walcountians in the second half as Wimbledonians extended their lead after six minutes when their inside-centre scored his second try after swerving past a static Walcountians defence.

Walcountians began their fightback in the 12th minute of the second half when fly-half Fred South banged over a penalty. The introduction of fresh legs in the shape of wingers James Tutton and Ryan McGibbon, prop Pete Cowlin and flankers Tom Baker and Luke Adams gave the Counts new impetus and they narrowed Wimbledonians’ lead in the 25th minute when centre Eddy Ryan passed out of a tackle to put Adams, who was in close support, in for a converted try.

Walcountians effectively threw the match away three minutes later when they conceded a penalty, but the final minutes of the game were dominated by Walcountians as their pack began to win possession and drive forward. With a minute to go, the pack won a ruck close to the Wimbledonians 22 and released the ball to the threequarters who found winger James Tutton in space who sidestepped his way past Wimbledonians defenders for a try converted by scrum-half Callum Stone. Unfortunately, this was too late for Walcountians to turn round the match.

Walcountians start pre-season training for the 2014-15 season in June.

Old Walcountians:- Beales, Harrison, Ryan, Bayles, Drinkwater, South, Stone, Bell (Dan), Claustres, Cowlin (S), Bell (Dom), Thornton, Henderson, Fowler, Connor.

Subs:- Adams, Baker, Cowlin (P), McGibbon, Tutton.