Old Walcountians were narrowly edged out by relegation-threatened Battersea Ironsides in a close-fought Surrey One battle at Garrett Green last Saturday.

Ironsides’ forwards got the better of the first-half tussle possession leaving Walcountians defending their line for much of the half.

Already behind to a second-minute penalty, a turnover of possession led to the Irons’ first try in the ninth minute.

A long penalty from full-back Ollie Beales got Walcountians off the mark in the 17th minute, but this was wiped out by a further Irons penalty 10 minutes later.

Ten minutes before the break, Walcountians fly-half Chris Mockford saw space on the right flank and unleashed centre Tim Chauncey, whose pace split open the irons defence to find Ollie Beales in support to go over for a try which brought the Old Boys to within three points.

Unfortunately, slack defending cost Walcountians another try before half time as the Irons right-winger followed up a cross kick from his fly-half and gathered the ball from under the noses of a stunned Walcountians defence for a converted try.

Walcountians started to turn the tables after the restart.

Props Ben Anderson and Kemlo Longstaff put the Irons front row into panic stations with their dynamic scrimmaging, while skipper Alex Sutherland secured an impressive share of lineout ball and flanker Jack South and No 8 Gavin Welsh foraged hard in the loose. Injuries forced Walcountians to shuffle their backline after Ollie Beales and Tim Chauncey went off injured.

Sam Naylor was moved from the back row to his customary position at centre while Dan Crompton was brought on for his first game in over three months.

Seven minutes into the second half, the Old Boys narrowed the lead to five points when Chris Mockford broke down the left flank to find Gavin Welsh in support to bullock his way through the packed Irons defence for a try.

As the game progressed, Walcountians looked increasingly likely to score the further try required which would have drawn them level, if not given the lead with the conversion added. Unfortunately, lack of discipline was to turn victory into defeat as they conceded a penalty in the 31st minute which Irons gratefully accepted.

Walcountians kept up the pressure and grabbed a third try in stoppage time when Callum Stone, now playing at fly-half, looped round his threequarters to take the return pass and dive over in the right hand corner, but it was too little, too late.

The result leaves sixth-placed Walcountians looking nervously over their shoulder ahead of Saturday’s clash with third-placed London Exiles at Clock House (2.15pm).