Sat 23 Mar 2024, 15:00
RFU National League 2 East
Saturday March 23
Esher 62 Wimbledon 19
Written by Richard Spiller
Photo credit: Leo Wilkinson https://www.rugbyphotos.co.uk/p/68579chh/esher-v-wimbledon-23-3-24
Esher took a major step towards securing the league title, their 10-try mauling of Wimbledon capped by challengers Barnes and Dorking both being beaten.
From the first minute, Sam Morley creating an opening finished off in typical style by James Botterill on the left, there was no doubt who would win this Surrey derby. Ben Robbins, on the opposite flank, relished the space offered by Wimbledon and service provided by his colleagues to claim a hat-trick.
Es scored seven tries before half time, reaching it 38-0 up, and if they struggled to recapture the momentum after the interval then ample compensation came in learning that their lead at the top had been stretched to four points – with a match in hand.
A 28-26 defeat for Dorking at Sevenoaks and Barnes going down 39-26 at Henley leaves them four and five points respectively adrift. Es have still to play them both but visit Worthing before the hosting Dorking on April 13, also awaiting the rearranged match against Guernsey on April 20. They are in control of their own fate heading into the Easter break.
Scrum-half Pierre Thompson was once again in fine form, capping his fine performance with a try, hooker Andy Hamilton and centre Myles Rawstron-Rudd the others joining the Robbins treble in the first half.
Tomasz Pozniak replied against his old side on 61 minutes but it only prompted Sam Bullock and Botterill's second – his 28th of the season – to get the scoreboard ticking. Devlin Hope marked his return to Molesey Road with Wimbledon's second, Ben Kirby taking Esher into double-figures. Despite the blustery conditions, Morley converted six of the tries, Tony Machado completing the action with Wimbledon's third, two converted by Edward Morgan.
Games to come – April 6: Worthing (A); 13: Dorking (H); 20: Guernsey (H); 27: Barnes (A).
