Match Report: Canterbury 34 Esher 36

Esher overcome slow start to remain at summit 

RFU National League 2 East 

Saturday January 13 Canterbury 34 Esher 36

Written by Richard Spiller

Esher underlined their tenacity as they started the new year with a hard-won victory to stay top of the table.

They trailed for much of Saturday's match in Kent and it looked as if a run of eight victories, taking them to the summit, would be ended straight after the four-week Christmas break.

But six tries – two of them from wing James Botterill – were sufficient to see off the determined hosts and keep Es ahead of early pacesetters Dorking by three points.

Being top means opposition teams are increasingly likely to raise their game and Canterbury went ahead on six minutes through scrum-half Tom Williams, Frank Reynolds converting, but the visitors were soon level as No 8 Cam Wilkins went over under the posts, Morley's kick making it 7-7.

But a fine offload from Eoin O'Donaghue enabled Tom Best to skirt round the defence on 16 minutes and within six minutes he was through again, taking advantage of a fine break from fellow centre Will Waddington, Reynolds adding the extras both times to make it 21-7.

Looking stronger up front, than the hosts, Es made it count when they drove from a lineout for hooker Andy Hamilton to record their second try and wing Ben Robbins followed over with half time approaching, both conversions being missed to leave Canterbury 21-17 ahead at the break.

Reynolds struck from two penalties early in the second half but in between the prolific Botterill went over for the first time after inventive work from Pierre Thompson, who had a huge influence on achieving victory.

Collapsing the scrum under pressure up front cost the Kent side Dan Huntley's services for 10 minutes, Es taking advantage as a driving maul send over front row Theo Skoumbourdis on 62 minutes, Morley converting as his side got their noses in front.

Allowing Botterill the space to cut in off the flank and score under the posts with 10 minutes remaining proved fatal for Canterbury, setting up an easy conversion for Morley.

It also offered a vital cushion when the Surrey side conceded a penalty try with six minutes still on the clock, seeing out the remaining time to claim a 13^th victory in 15 outings this season.

They return to Molesey Road on Saturday to entertain Guernsey, the match starting 30 minutes earlier than usual at 2.30pm.

Games to come – Jan 20: Guernsey (H); 27: Old Albanians (A); Feb 10: Bury St Edmunds (H); 17: Henley (A); 24: Sevenoaks (H); March 9: Tonbridge Juddians (A); 16: North Walsham (A); 23: Wimbledon (H); April 6: Worthing (A); 13: Dorking (H); 27: Barnes (A).