OLD Walcountians' brave effort against third-placed Old Amplefordians ended in a narrow defeat at Clock House on Saturday.
Walcountians made the worst possible start when, in the fourth minute, a dropped pass close to their line gave the visitors an early Christmas present that they gratefully accepted.
Eight minutes later, Walcountians were in front after powerful No 8 Jonny Evans broke clear from his own half and, with support from hooker Rob Fleming, put wing Chris Drinkwater away to hand off the remaining Amplefordians defence and touch down.
Fly-half Tom Harrison's conversion put Walcountians in front. The visitors responded with a vengeance and had the upper hand for the rest of the first half. The Amplefordians pack were effective and drove Walcountians backwards in the tackle.
The Amplefordians backs were also a constant threat and, in the 18th minute, they regained the lead when a textbook move put their left-wing, Svehlik, in for a try.
Walcountians had three opportunities to regain the lead through penalties, but Harrison narrowly missed with all three. Meanwhile, Amplefordians extended their lead in the 33rd minute when sustained pressure by their forwards led to a try.
Walcountians were unlucky to lose three of their best players, flanker Joe Henderson, Evans and wing Drinkwater to injuries, but the replacements all performed well.
Five minutes into the second half, replacement flanker Tom Housden got on the scoresheet when he charged down a clearance kick, won the race to the loose ball and touched down.
This put Walcountians within a converted score of victory.
As the second half progressed, Walcountians gained the upper hand over Amplefordians up front and pressed forward in a bid to score the decisive try.
However, Amplefordians' defence proved too strong and the Walcountians backline was unable to find a way through.
With five minutes to go, Amplefordians stunned Walcountians with a counterattack from their own half that was finished off by inside-centre Joe Wright.
The home side refused to let their heads drop and their continued pressure was rewarded four minutes into stoppage time when hooker Rob Fleming burrowed his way over for a converted try from a ruck close to the Amplefordians line.
Walcountians now have a month-long break from the league and return to action on January 17 when they take on Cranleigh, at Wildwood Lane, Alfold Crossways, (kick-off 2.15pm).
