Old Walcountians put up a fighting display at promotion-seekers Old Tiffinians, but it was not enough to stave off their fifth Surrey Division One defeat of the season.

Ryan McGibbon got the Counts’ only try, while Tom Diamond kicked a brace of penalties, as they went down 34-11.

The Counts, now third from bottom in the table, face a three-week break before taking on bottom club Old Freemens on November 24.

For the first half hour of the Old Tiffinians game, it was the Counts rather than the hosts who looked more like promotion contenders as their pack got the better of the forward encounter. 

The back row of Simon Fowler, Sam Naylor and Gerry Connor was particularly impressive in driving play forward, but Walcountians were unable to capitalise on advantages of possession and territory as the Tiffinians backline closed down the threat from the visitors.

Tiffinians began to see more of the ball in the closing minutes of the first half but were repelled by solid Walcountians defensive tackling. 

However, they drew first blood on the brink of half time as one of their lock forwards drove over from a tap penalty.

Walcountians went into the second half optimistic about their chances, bearing in mind their second half from against all other promotion contenders. 

However, they were stunned in the opening minute when Tiffinians’ inside-centre opened a massive gap in the defence and put his right-winger in for a try.

Walcountians responded in style in the seventh minute of the second half when number eight Gerry Connor broke from the base of a scrum in the Tiffinians’ 22 and helped put fly-half Tom Diamond away who round winger Ryan McGibbon in support to touch down in the corner. 

However, their joy was short-lived as Tiffinians’ outside-centre extended the hosts’ lead five minutes later as he stepped out of a tackle and crossed for their third try of the day.

A brace of penalties from Tom Diamond in the 24th and 28th minutes gave Walcountians renewed hope of pulling off a shock victory, but the final 10 minutes belonged to Tiffinians, whose backs cut the Counts’ defence to ribbons and ran in three more tries to seal victory.