Old Walcountians made an early exit from the RFU Junior Vase at Old Deer Park, Richmond, as they were overcome by a slick London Welsh Amateur XV 35-14.

An injury-hit Walcountians had to make late changes, bringing in full-back Andy Gill from the second XV and playing Rob Fleming, normally a hooker, at scrum-half.

During the early stages of the match, Walcountians looked alarmingly exposed as the Welsh backs opened up gaps in the Old Boys’ defence with ease.

However, determined defending by Walcountians kept the Welsh at bay until the 19th minute when their full-back joined a threequarter move to open the scoring.

As the first half progressed, Walcountians began to force their way back into the game, thanks to determined play by the forwards who had a slight edge in the scrums and were strong on the break with hooker Matt Houghton and locks Dom Bell and Will Thornton making ground.

But the backs were unable to break through a tight London Welsh backline, which was very quickly up on them.

The Welsh extended their lead in the 30th minute when they first charged down an attempted clearance kick, then turned over possession to put their scrum-half in for a try.

But Walcountians struck back four minute later when flanker Joe Baker broke from a ruck and forced his way through the Welsh defence to touch down.

The Welsh scored once more before the break when their right-winger finished a threequarter move.

Within three minutes of the second half starting, Welsh scored again as their inside-centre cut inside to wrong-foot Walcountians’ defence.

But the rest of the second half was much more even as Walcountians forced their way into the Welsh 22 through Trojan efforts by their pack and were only denied scores by the tight Welsh defence.

The home side continued to look dangerous on the break and two more tries by their outside-centre and left-winger in the 32nd and 40th minutes sealed victory.

Walcountians scored their second try three minutes into stoppage time as scrum-half Rob Fleming drove over from close range.

Next Saturday, Walcountians play their first home Surrey Division Two league fixture when they take on Cranleigh - kick-off at Clock House is at 3pm.