Sat 20 Apr 2024, 14:30
RFU National League 2 East
Saturday April 20 Esher 80 Guernsey 24
Written by Richard Spiller
Photography credit to: Paul Downs Esher 80 v 24 Guernsey
Celebrating their coronation as champions, Esher ran in a dozen tries in their final home game of the season.
If the wind was unseasonably bone-chilling, the Molesey Road crowd had plenty to keep them warm with four more scores coming from a game Guernsey side who deserved their bonus point.
A match which was originally scheduled to be played on January 20 was agreeably open and entertaining. With the title already having been won in beating Dorking seven days earlier, Es might have been forgiven for lessening the pace. But they produced a vintage display, led – as so many times this season – by skipper Sam Morley at fly-half.
Chief beneficiary of the industry of Morley and company was wing James Botterill, a hat-trick taking his try tally to 33 tries for the season so far, three ahead of Dorking's Toby McRae.
It was scrum-half Sam Bullock who set Esher rolling this time, two tries in the first eight minutes reward for his sharp thinking. Sam Boyland and Charlie Simmonds struck at the other end though to level the match at 12-12 on 17 but Es took charge as Dan Rowland, Botterill's first two scores and a Morley try – converting four of the six – sent them into the break 38-12 up, Harry Faulkner's work at full-back outstanding in harrying the visitors.
Callum Roberts ensured Guernsey were first to strike after the interval but it was soon buried under an avalanche at the other end. Forwards Fraser Wem and Conor Ganley joined in the fun, Botterill completing his second treble of the month just before the hour.
Ciaran McGann earned the Channel Islanders their point with 13 minutes remaining, his conversion one of two on the day, but Es were soon going at full pelt again. Myles Rawstron-Rudd, Fergus Donnelly and the outstanding Rowland all crossed the line, Morley taking his conversion tally to 10 – a figure of which Billy Graham would have been proud in his prime – to complete the day.
Esher complete their season with a trip to Barnes on Saturday, the hosts keen to cement runners-up place but Es looking to avenge defeat on the opening day of the season and finish it on a high before focusing on their return to National Division One.
