Old Walcountians face relegation battle (From Surrey Comet)

Old Walcountians face relegation battle

10:19am Monday 30th January 2012 in Other Rugby By Rob Murphy

Old Walcountians once again paid the price for failing to turn opportunities into points as they lost 8-3 to mid-table Cranleigh.

The Counts recalled winger Chris Walsh, who had scored 27 tries in their promotion campaign three years ago, in a bid to boost their firepower.

The first half was evenly balanced between the two sides and the Walcountians pack did well to get the better of a large and solid Cranleigh eight in the set scrums.

Although there were good performances in the loose from prop Steve Cowlin and from the back row of Jack South, Sam Naylor and Gerry Connor in driving play downfield, Walcountians’ ball retention in contact was poor and too many promising attacks were squandered by turnovers.

Walcountians’ backs also failed to make the best use of the ball, and the visitors were able to contain the threat posed by the pace of Chris Walsh, although they had considerable difficulty in containing centre Rudy Sanwell, who was the Counts best back.

The first half remained scoreless as the two sides cancelled each other out in a dour struggle. The best opportunity fell to Walcountians in the 10th minute when Chris Walsh was held up on the Cranleigh line for what many Walcountians supporters thought was a legitimate try.

The second half saw Cranleigh begin to get the edge in the forward battle and much of the game was played in the Counts half. Solid defensive tackling by Walcountians kept Cranleigh at bay but, in the 15th minute, they finally took the lead with a penalty after Walcountians were penalised at a ruck.

Cranleigh continued to press forward and finally breached Walcountians’ defensive lines in the 30th minute when their outside-centre crossed for a try to complete a threequarter move started after the ball was recycled by the forwards from a maul.

Walcountians, to their credit, refused to give up and finally got off the mark four minutes from full-time when skipper Ollie Beales banged over a penalty.

Walcountians now lie second from bottom in Surrey One following the withdrawal of London South Africa from the competition.

To avoid relegation to Surrey Two next season, they will have to win at least three of their five remaining games.

With next week’s fixture against London South Africa no longer taking place, they are next in action on 18 February against Old Wimbledonians who lie just one place and three points ahead of them. Kick-off at Clock House is at 2:30pm.