OWs forced to dig in to get their first win

The Counts established their dominance from the start as the pack, anchored by a powerful front row of Jonny Evans, Anthony Abou-Zeid and Remy Claustres, took control of possession. Unfortunately, too much possession was squandered by poor distribution and handling and wrong options. A determined Amplefordians defence also kept the Counts at bay.

Despite this, Wacountians broke through in the early part of the match when No 8 Joe Henderson broke from the base of a set scrum and put scrum-half Seb Chmielinski in for a try. A penalty from centre Ross Norton extended Walcountians’ lead to eight points by the break.

Most of the second half repeated the pattern of the first with Walcountians dominating possession but failing to take advantage of it. But, in the 21st minute, Walcountians extended their lead when centre Harry Wrightson counter-attacked form his own half and found Jonny Evans in support to put Joe Henderson in for a try.

Walcountians sealed victory in stoppage time when Seb Chmielinski made a break which left Amplefordians defence all at sea and set up a ruck, from which the ball was shipped out to Ross Norton to touch down for a try which he converted.

Amplefordians mounted a rally in the closing minutes and scored a try from a ruck on the Walcountians line to get some reward from the match.
Next Saturday, Walcountians face local rivals Chipstead in their first home match. Kick-off at Clock House, Woodmansterne, is at 3pm.

Old Walcountians:- Oldfield, Fletcher-Rogers, Norton, Wrightson (H), Vadivelu, Bentley, Chmielinski, Evans, Abou-Zeid, Claustres, Thornton, Thomas, Fleming, Wrightson (J), Henderson.

Subs:- Anderson, Houghton, McMullen.