Sat 24 Feb 2024, 15:00
Peters try double keeps Esher in business
RFU National League 2 East
Saturday February 24
Esher 41 Sevenoaks 31
Luke Peters struck twice as Esher head towards business end of their promotion challenge.
The centre’s double could not have been better timed given the fierce resistance put up by Sevenoaks before his side could complete their 13th successive victory, staying five points clear of their only realistic title challengers – Barnes and Dorking – and with a match in hand over both.
Es can enjoy a week off before contemplating the final seven matches, which are squeezed into eight weeks and will test both the depth and quality of Peter Winterbottom’s squad. They were wearing a special blue kit on Saturday to raise funds for the Princess Alice Hospice boost and awareness of its work.
A narrow victory at Sevenoaks in early November ensured Es knew they faced no easy battle, despite the Kent side’s position in the bottom half of the table.
Yet the hosts were ahead within the first minute, scrum-half Sam Bullock finishing off a move straight from kick-off near left the corner flag and Sam Morley completing a tricky conversion.
Sevenoaks were level on seven minutes, full-back Henry Galligan swooping down the left to finish off a lightning counterattack and then adding the extras.
Peters, who missed the first half of the season through injury, has been busy making up for it ever since and restored the advantage with an unconverted effort within two minutes. It seemed Esher were taking control when wing Ben Robbins went over - Morley adding two points – having taken advantage of a fine intervention from second row Adam Bullett as he linked with James Botterill.
The visitors always looked dangerous with ball in hand, wing Drew Forrester’s score rewarding them. And an action-packed first half – in a match which drew a crowd of 503 – still had plenty to come, full-back Harry Faulkner securing the bonus point try for Esher but Matthew McRae striking back following a lineout to leave his side just seven points adrift at 26-19.
And the Kent side’s monopoly on possession in the early stages of the second half was rewarded by centre Alexi Hickin, Galligan converting to leave it level.
Just as at Henley seven days earlier, Es had to grab back the initiative and they rose to the occasion, Morley enjoying one of his best matches of the campaign as he marshalled those around him while kicking excellently from hand.
The reward came when centre Peters struck for this second try of the afternoon. Sevenoaks had managed to keep momBotterill relatively quiet on the left wing – his reputation increasingly goes before him – but that is no easy task for a full 80 minutes, dashing over for his team’s sixth try of the afternoon and his 23rd of the season.
Substitute Fred Richardson cut the deficit once more but victory was cemented by a Morley penalty, Es good value once again for the win but Sevenoaks fully deserving their point.
A trip to Tonbridge Juddians – beaten 48-31 at Molesey Road in November and currently sixth – will be Esher’s next task, on March 9.
Games to come – March 9: Tonbridge Juddians (A); 16: North Walsham (A); 23: Wimbledon (H); April 6: Worthing (A); 13: Dorking (H); 20: Guernsey (H); 27: Barnes (A).
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