Sat 13 Apr 2024, 15:00
RFU National League 2 East
Saturday April 13 Esher 50 Dorking 28
Written by Richard Spiller
Photo credit: Ed Boyden https://www.edboydenphotos.co.uk/
Pushed hard for an hour, Esher underlined their quality to see off Dorking to claim the league title – and promotion.
It was nip and tuck between the two Surrey teams into the final quarter but Es showed why they have won the competition with two matches to spare, their quality underlined by scoring 1,004 points in 24 matches so far.
Pacesetters early in the season, Dorking were beaten 38-19 when the sides first met in December and have battling to catch up ever since.
Having played one more match than the hosts, they knew only victory would keep alive their title chances and went ahead on five minutes through Will Sanders, Henry Ascombe converting.
Es were soon level, lock Hugh Sloan capitalising on good work from the threequarters to touch down wide on the left and Sam Morley making it 7-7.
That set the tone for the opening hour, prolific Toby McRae sending the visitors in front once again on 22 – capped by Anscombe – only for Pierre Thompson to respond at the other end and his half-back partner Morley making it 14-14.
Now it was Esher's turn to take the lead, full-back Harry Faulkner capitalising on a scrum on 38 and Morley sending his side seven points in front at the interval.
Dorking were not to be shaken off easily, a try from Adam Musa on 51 and Anscombe's extras drawing level once more.
Again Esher responded in the right way, as hooker Andy Hamilton forced his way through.
McRae's second on 57, converted again by Anscombe, was his 30th try of the season and kept his side in the contest – but not for long.
Myles Rawstron-Rudd put Esher ahead for the third and final time just after the hour and the tide had now turned irrevocably, Sam Bullock taking the opportunity to make an impact from the bench by scoring the sixth try. Morley converted both and added a conversion, Esher's party launched by Fin McBreaty claiming the seventh and final try which launched the celebrations.
Saturday's visit by Guernsey – which was originally due to be played on January 20 but was postponed because of poor weather – can now be treated as a celebration for the champions. Esher's final match of the campaign, away to Barnes seven days later, might have been a tricky finale against one of the few teams to beat them but now holds no terrors.
Thoughts will soon turn, though, to next season and ensuring they make a better fist of playing at a higher level than their brief time there two years ago.
Games to come – April 20: Guernsey (H); 27: Barnes (A).
