Walden played their first home game of the season when they entertained newly promoted Old Cooperians on a bright sunny afternoon.
Walden's nervousness was soon apparent as despite a bright opening few minutes the first attack by the visitors saw one of their centres break through a gap in the Walden defence to score a well worked try to go 7 points up after 10 minutes
When 5 minutes later OC's scored a similar try on their next attack, the home support could have been forgiven in thinking this was going to be a bad day at the office as 14 -0 down after 15 mins was looking bad especially after the results in the last 2 league games. However gradually the team started to gel and they regained control and repeatedly attacked deep inside the visitors 22, but a couple of rushed passes and slight errors meant they just could not get the ball over the try line.
Then on the half hour mark OC's gave a penalty away 20 mtrs out in front of the posts and Captain and 2nd Row James Gosden looked up and saw the defenders all strolling back waiting for the kick and he took it quickly surprised them all and effectively only had one man to beat which he did with a flourish and went over under the posts. 7 -14 as Hughes kicked the 2 points.
Just before half time the gap was narrowed further as after several phases of possession Walden found a slight overlap and Harry Beddows used his pace and he was tackled just short of the line he managed to stretch out and score, leaving it 12 -14 at half time.
The second half started and Walden cleared their lines from the kick off and worked the ball deep inside the visitors half but OC's regained possession and broke free and scored a great long range try to stretch the lead to 12 -21 after 45 mins.
However for the remaining period of the game Walden dominated as they started to pick up the tempo of the game and played controlled aggressive rugby that finally overpowered the opposition. The first score came as OC's conceded a penalty in front of the posts and Hughes kicked it over 15 -21 50 mins.
Almost straight from the kick off Walden attacked again and this time Eddie Brown burst through and scored close to the posts and Walden took the lead for the first time in the game 22 – 21 52mins.
Walden began to use their pacey backs and centres Kimberly and Beddows combined to set left winger Ben Stapleton away and he went over in the corner 27 -21 56 mins.
OC's kept on fighting and narrowed the gap when they kicked a penalty 27 – 24 as Walden strayed offside.
However with 10 mins to go Walden finally made it safe when centre Mark Kimberley received an inside ball from right winger David Patch to stretch the lead to more than one score at 32 – 24.
Then 5 minutes later he repaid the favour and put Patch away to score wide out to leave the final score at 37 -24.
So despite going 14 points down Walden fought back and the confidence that should be gained from this win will give the season the kick start to push on for the games ahead.
If they cut out on the defensive errors they once again will be a team that should not fear any one in the league. Some more hard work in training plus hearing that the 2nd team had a great result with some good young players making an impact will add impetus to training.
Next week they entertain Old Merchant Taylors in the first round of the Intermediate Cup please come and support the team.