Sat 9 Mar 2024, 15:00
RFU National League 2 East
Saturday March 9
Tonbridge Juddians 24 Esher 20
Written by Richard Spiller
Esher's lead at the top was cut to just one point as their run of 13 successive wins was terminated by Tonbridge Juddians.
It was their first taste of defeat since early October – beaten 22-17 at Bury St Edmunds – while the only two realistic chasers, Barnes and Dorking, both won to close the gap.
Es have a match in hand over both of them and will aim to rediscover the winning recipe at basement side North Walsham on Saturday, although the Norfolk side recently claimed a first victory of the season and will fancy their chances of adding a second.
Returning from a week off, Esher took just six minutes to open their account, through prolific wing James Botterill. Sam Morley missed the conversion but struck with a penalty on 12 minutes.
It got better for the visitors when second row Will Inglis claimed their second try on the quarter-hour, Morley adding the extras this time.
TJs climbed back in the match six minutes before half time, a lineout setting them up for a maul and the ball being retained through a number of phases before wing Nick Tout touched down wide on the left.
Although Es prevented any further breakthroughs before the teams turned around, they conceded again four minutes after, forward power being rewarded by hooker Will Holling scoring and White converting.
Juddians took the lead for the first time on 53, the influential Evans turning Esher's defence with a crafty cross-kick which set up centre Shadyn Osgood for an unconverted score.
There was hope for Esher – who won 48-31 when the sides met at Molesey Road in mid-November – when Botterill went over for the second time in the day and 25th overall since joining the club at the start of the season.
But the advantage proved to be short-lived, Tonbridge's power in the maul once more proved key as Holling notched his 17th of the season, White making the cushion four points.
Despite having 15 minutes left, Es could make no further breakthroughs.
The trip to North Walsham is followed by another clash with one of the strugglers, neighbours Wimbledon heading to Elmbridge on March 23. Esher will then have a week off before embarking on a frantic final four weeks, heading to Worthing on April 6, hosting Dorking and Guernsey – a match rearranged from January – before the short trip to Barnes.
Games to come – March 16: North Walsham (A); 23: Wimbledon (H); April 6: Worthing (A); 13: Dorking (H); 20: Guernsey (H); 27: Barnes (A).
