In a match that was more akin to mud-wrestling that rugby due to Storm Bert, the Counts acquitted themselves well against the second-placed team in the league. The defensive rucking, with Joe Henderson, Scott Bird and debutant Alvin Antanythasan outstanding, frustrated the Dons as they sought to exploit the gale-force winds and add to a second-minute penalty from centre Matt Laventure, while Walcountians fly-half Seb Chmielinski regularly cleared his lines effectively.

As half-time approached, Walcountians appeared to have done enough to restrict the Dons to one score. However, failure to clear the ball up proved costly in the 26th minute as it enabled the Wimbledonians forwards to drive over and touch down for a try. Worse was to follow for Walcountians in the first minute of the second half when a misdirected pass was intercepted by Dons’ fly-half Matt Rees who ran in unopposed to score a converted try.

The shock of conceding a second try gave Walcountians a reality check and they responded by getting the better of the forward exchanges in the second half and repeatedly driving play into the Dons’ half, with Callum Tilleray and Dom Bell outstanding in carrying the ball. Unfortunately, the Counts failed to make the best use of the ball and good attacking positions were squandered through over-hasty distribution, poor handling and penalties conceded at rucks.

20 minutes into the second half, Walcountians finally made a breakthrough when full-back Hal Mogridge fielded a failed clearance kick on the 10-metre line and counter-attacked at pace to leave the Dons’ defence grasping at fresh air as he raced in to touch down. This however proved to be the only score of the day for the Counts who remain in tenth place in the League and need the points to avoid a second successive relegation.

Walcountians have no match next Saturday and return to action on 7 December when they take on Metropolitan Police at Clock House, Carshalton Road, Woodmansterne. Kick-off is at 2pm.

Old Walcountians:- Mogridge, Sanders, Moorhead, Bacon, Harrison, Chmielinski, Stone, Tilleray, Stevens, Bell, Henderson, Smart, Blackmore, Togbolah, Bird.

Subs:- Antanythasan, Stoner (used), Beeson (not used).