Old Walcountians’ stuttering start to the 2014-15 Surrey Two season continued as they were narrowly edged out 9-8 at Guildfordians.

There was little to separate two well-matched sides throughout the match.

The home side had the slight advantage up front where their forwards had the edge in the set scrums and in the loose, where Walcountians did themselves no favours by losing the ball in the contact area on several occasions.

But Walcountians forwards were dangerous when coming forward with the ball, with number eight Joe Henderson outstanding, while flankers Jack South and Tom Housden gave Guildofrdians a torrid time round the edges of the rucks as they frequently turned over possession.

The defensive tackling by both sides was outstanding and, consequently, both sides’ backs were well contained, with most of Walcountians’ territorial gain coming from the accurate boot of fly-half Matt Witcomb.

Walcountians took the lead after just two minutes when Witcomb banged over a penalty, and he was narrowly off target with a second attempt four minutes later.

Guildfordians drew level with a penalty of their own after 14 minutes.

The scores remained level for almost the rest of the first half as both sides cancelled each other out but, as the game went into stoppage time, Walcountians struck with an opportunist score.

Henderson made a spectacular break from his own 22 into the Guildfordians half and, although hauled down on the 10-metre line, he found prop Andy Scales and centre Callum Stone in support who put winger Marvin Fletcher-Rogers away to win the race for the line to touch down.

This put Walcountans five points up at the break.

In the second half, Walcountians found themselves having to play up the notorious Stoke Park slope, but enterprisingly took the game to Guildfordians.

However, no further scores came until the 17th minute when Guildfordians narrowed Walcountians’ lead with a penalty.

Walcountians’ tendency to concede penalties resurfaced and put themselves under unnecessary pressure.

This gave the home side the opportunity they needed to win the game with a third penalty in the 27th minute.

Walcountians threw everything into attack in the closing stages in a desperate attempt to win the game and, five minutes into stoppage time, went close when Callum Stone was held up on the line.

Walcountians are now seventh out of 10 teams in the table and need to start winning if they are to avoid being sucked into a second successive relegation battle.

Next Saturday, they take on Economicals at the Clock House. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.

Old Walcountians: Beales, Fletcher-Rogers, Ryan, Stone, Drinkwater, Witcomb, Henderson (James), Scales, Fleming, Cowlin, Bell, Thornton, Henderson, Housden, Evans.

Subs: Houghton, South, Vadiveli