The Counts were missing several key players for this important fixture, with Scott Bird, Tom Brown, James Ford, Joe Lawrence and Scott Stevens from the forwards and Ross Lever, Liam Moorhead and Brendan Murphy from the backs all unavailable. The opening 10 minutes were disastrous for Walcountians as Bec opened a 12-point lead through two tries.

The shock of going behind jolted Walcountians into action and the forwards, although coming off second best in the set scrums, began to drive play into the Bec half of the field through dynamic ball-carrying in which skipper Callum Tilleray, Jamie Blackmore and Dom Bell were exceptional, while Dylan Camakamma repeatedly harassed Bec in the loose. Impressive lineout jumping by locks Dom Bell and Joe Henderson added to the Counts possession. Unfortunately, the backs had not yet got into gear and wasted several opportunities that could have yielded scores.

Walcountians eventually got on the scoresheet in the 30th minute when the forwards recycled the ball from a ruck inside the Bec 22 and found Dom Bell who drove through an attempted tackle to touch down under the posts. Fly-half Hal Mogridge added the first of four conversions.
Bec were however far from out of contention and hit Walcountians with two tries either side of the half-time break. The first came from winger Joe O’Brien who evaded two attempted tackles on his way to touching down in the 38th minute of the first half. The second came from a ruck and drive a minute after the restart.

As the second half progressed, it was Walcountians who began to dominate as they grew in confidence. Fly-half Hal Mogridge had an outstanding game with both his tactical kicking and in marshalling an increasingly confident backline and set up the second try for Dylan Camakamma in the 20th minute by wrong-footing the Bec defence.

Six minutes later, the gap between the two teams was down to five points when Callum Tilleray drove over for a try from a ruck close to the Bec line. Unfortunately, for the Counts, Bec winger Joe O’Brien was hungry for tries and scored his second in the 33rd minute after being put clear.

Walcountians refused to be disheartened and strove for victory in the closing minutes. In the 38th minute, they were rewarded when centre Dom Barnaby retrieved aa loose ball and, even though not fully fit, stretched open the Bec defence to put Hal Mogridge in for the Counts fourth try of the day which delivered a crucial bonus point.

With possible victory in sight, the Counts continued to press the Bec line but were denied further scores.

The match marked a significant milestone for Joe Henderson who made his 200th appearance.

Next Saturday, Walcountians face League leaders Old Caterhamians at their Clock House ground, kicking off at 3pm.

Old Walcountians:- Fatah, Stoner, Moorhead, Barnably, Erhirhie, Mogridge, Downes, Blackmore, Camakamma, Tilleray, Bell, Henderson, Harrison, Robinson, Togbolah.

Subs:- Acquah, Beeson, Sanders.