TWO lapses in concentration were all that was needed to consign Old Walcountians to their seventh league defeat of the season, which leaves them at the bottom of Surrey One.
The Counts dominated lengthy periods of the game and should have beaten mid-table Cranleigh, but they made things difficult when, in the sixth minute, they failed to clear up possession in midfield and allowed the Cranleigh left-winger to hack the ball forward and win the chase to touch down.
Walcountians levelled the scores four minutes later when the ball was swept out to centre Fred South during a second phase three-quarter move and he touched down in the corner.
For most of the first half, Walcountians dominated both possession and territory as the pack, with prop Pete Cowlin putting in an immense contribution, driving play forward at every opportunity.
Unfortunately, it was Cranleigh who scored next when their speedy left-winger took advantage of a Walcountians fumble to intercept the ball in his own half and outpace the remaining Walcountians defenders for his second try of the day.
And a penalty as half-time approached increased Cranleigh's lead to eight points.
Any hopes that the Counts would reduce the arrears in the second half were soon extinguished as the home side's pack came to life and dominated possession.
Although Walcountians remained penned in their own half for most of the second half, they conceded no further scores.
The Walcountians pack rallied again in the closing minutes and, with a minute of normal time remaining, they cut back the home side's lead when a forward drive for the line set up fly-half Tom Diamond for a try.
There was, however, not enough time for the Counts to add to the score and Cranleigh held on for a narrow victory.
Tomorrow, Walcountians take on Old Wimbledonians.
