Old Walcountians’ flying start to their Surrey League One programme was brought to an end last Saturday as they failed to contain a second half comeback by London Exiles.

In the first half, the Old Boys looked on course to extend their winning run as they withstood a strong challenge by the home side and appeared to have the edge.

The unavailability of flankers Sam Naylor and Tim Simms forced Walcountians to make tactical changes, with Matt Houghton and Simon Fowler moving to the back row, which led to recalls for hooker Ian Richardson and lock Steve Cowlin, the latter playing his first match since the Surrey Shield win in May 2009.

Although Exiles twice led through penalties form their fly-half, they only looked effective in one phase of play, and that was when breaking with the ball from rucks where they supported well.

Otherwise, Walcountians had the edge in both the pack, where props Steve O’Hara and Kemlo Longstaff scrummaged well and back rowers Simon Fowler and Gavin Welsh rocked Exiles with punishing tackles which forced several turnovers.

The backs also ran well in the damp conditions with half-backs Fred South and Wally Fourie proving a handful for the Exiles defence.

Walcountians took the lead after 20 minutes when scrum-half Fourie took a quick tap penalty and wrong-footed the Exiles defence to go over for a try.

Two well-struck penalties by full-back Ross Norton in the 25th and 31st minutes added to Walcountians’ score and gave them a five-point lead at the break.

Walcountians lost their way in the second half and, in doing so, allowed a determined Exiles XV back into the game.

The increasingly confident Exiles pack started to gain the upper hand in the forwards battle, but Walcountians did themselves no favours by taking several risky and ill-advised options which left them pinned in their own 22.

Twelve minutes into the game, the scored were level after the Exiles pack drove over for a try and, by the 17th minute, they were in front as persistence by their outside-centre saw him force his way over for another try.

A penalty from Ross Norton narrowed the scores and gave Walcountians hope of a late comeback which could have won the game.

But it was Exiles who scored again in the 27th minute when they benefited from a disputed decision not to penalise their fly-half for a knock-on after fielding a clearance kick.

His counter-attacking run set up a move which the Exiles right-winger finished off with a try, and a further penalty nine minutes from full-time sealed defeat for the Old Boys.

Walcountians hope to get their league campaign back on track when they take on Old Paulines at Clock House on Saturday (3pm).