The Counts were missing skipper Callum Tilleray and key backs Omarie Brown and Hal Mogridge, and suffered a further setback when experienced forward Dom Bell had to drop out. Early signs were not promising as Purley John Fisher took the lead in the 12th minute when their pack shunted Walcountians back over their own line and touched down for a try. Five minutes later, the visitors extended their lead when the Counts lost possession at a lineout which gave Purley John Fisher’s backs the opportunity to set up a try for centre Callum Henry.

The Counts were however in no mood to lie down and accept defeat and soon levelled the score with two tries. The first, in the 21st minute, came from centre Spencer Moorhead who spectacularly wrong-footed the Purley John Fisher defence for a try converted by fly-half James Bacon. The second, nine minutes later was started by a towering clearance kick by full-back Eji Erhirhie which the Purley John Fisher defence failed to clear up and led to a turnover, from which the ball was swiftly moved to winger Andy Togbolah who applied the finishing touch.

Walcountians’ pack continued to harass Purley John Fisher in the loose with Dylan Camakamma, Joe Henderson and Callum Rees outstanding and, with a minute of normal time left, took the lead through a penalty from James Bacon. However, Walcountians’ joy was short-lived as Purley John Fisher scored a try with a pick-up and drive from a ruck in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Walcountians were unable to take advantage of the slop in their favour during the second half and spent post of it repelling attacks from Purley John Fisher. However, they held out until the 32nd minute when, reduced to 13 players after the sin-binning of Joe Henderson and Callum Rees, the Purley John Fisher pack drove over for a try from a ruck on the Counts line.

Careless distribution by Walcountians’ backs led to the turnover which set up Purley John Fisher’s fifth try from winger George Goldspink in the 37th minute. This effectively sealed victory for the visitors.

Walcountians had one last shot at glory in the second minute of stoppage time when Spencer Moorhead scored his second try of the day after he ran onto his chip kick which wrong-footed Purley John Fisher’s defence, allowing him to touch down under the posts. James Bacon converted the try.

Next Saturday, Walcountians travel to Portsmouth Road, Thames Ditton to take on Old Cranleighans. Kick-off is at 3pm.

Old Walcountians:- Erhirhie, Downes, Moorhead (S), Bateman, Togbolah, Bacon, Moorhead (L), Beeson, Blackmore, Ford, Lawrence, Henderson, Camakamma, Stevens, Rees.

Subs:- Harrison, Sanders, Stoner.