MATCH RESULT: Esher 31-13 Bishop's Stortford
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Photo credit: Leo Wilkinson Photography
Match Report written by Steph Franklin
Esher 31 - 13 Bishop's Stortford (HT 11-13)
Despite being on the back foot at half time, a powerful second half performance against Bishop's Stortford meant Esher's hopes of staying in National One next season remain alive.
With both sides playing an entertaining brand of running rugby despite the greasy conditions, it was the visitors who opened the scoring in the eighth minute thanks to a penalty kick from Connor Lloyd. Esher were next to score, with the forwards drawing in defenders before sending the ball out wide for winger Harri Lang to score in the corner. Though the conversion was unsuccessful, Sam Morley was able to atone a few minutes later, hitting target with two penalty kicks in the space of ten minutes to widen the home side's lead.
Undeterred, Bishop's Stortford went on the attack as the first half drew to a close, with hooker Alex Rayment scoring from a catch-and-drive, before Chris Smith snaffled the ball from the hosts and raced through to score mere moments later, in the dying seconds of the first half. Neither conversion was on target, but Stortford still closed the half with a two-point lead.
The second half was all Esher, as despite keeping up a relentless pace, the visitors were unable to score again. Morley slotted another penalty for the hosts early on, handing Esher back the lead, where it was to stay for the duration. The next Esher try came courtesy of a lightning-fast break from replacement Chris Davies, with a perfectly-timed offload sending Ben Atkins over in the corner to score, with Morley dutifully adding the extras. A fourth penalty kick from Morley followed, before the home side managed one last try in the closing minutes of the game. This final score saw Jack Owlett forcing his way through the visiting defenders to touch down near the posts, with Morley once again neatly slotting the conversion kick.
End
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