Esher brushed aside another of their promotion rivals when they won 46-10 at Blackheath in National League Two on Saturday.

A look into the record books showed that an Esher first XV had never won at the home of the oldest open rugby club in the world' and, in the past two seasons, Esher had put in what was described as their worst performances of the season.

That has now all changed as Esher produced a second half display that many thought the finest they had seen in the rugby watching life.

The first half saw Esher come out of the blocks firing and looking to rid the club of the Rectory Field hoodoo.

The Blackheath defence was in no mood to allow it. The opening 10 minutes saw the Esher team attempting to penetrate the Blackheath line, but time and time again their defence was magnificent.

The only points Esher had to show were a penalty on 11 minutes from Neil Hallett, who was celebrating his selection for the Barbarians who play the Combined Services at Newbury this Wednesday.

Blackheath were no mugs and this well-drilled outfit had done their homework and continually frustrated Esher.

On 12 minutes and Esher attack began from their own 22 but as the Eeee's winger Matt Moore tried to spread play out wide, his pass was intercepted by the home side's flyer Jon Wheaton who made his way to the line with the Esher players motionless, Frankie Neale a young and talented full back missed the conversion.

The game was now looking to be on the balance as both sides attacked but were thwarted by excellent defence.

On 17 minutes, Esher lost right-winger Richard Briggs, who suffered a nasty cut to the head after he had taken the ball into contact and a ruck formed.

He was replaced by utility back Mike Marsh. Hallett and Neale exchanged penalties on 27 and 32 minutes as both sides missed opportunities to score tries go astray at the final pass.

The final word of the half went to Esher through another Hallett penalty as Blackheath once again came in at the side of a rolling maul, on this occasion the Blackheath number eight Matt Corker getting a yellow card.

Esher were down at half-time, just as they were against Stourbridge and Launceston in recent weeks, the deficit on this occasion was the single point.

At the turn round, Esher began to show just why they had remained unbeaten this season, and answered the very strange comment made by a member of the Blackheath team of 'you have only beaten teams below you this season' - with everyone below Esher, this was not difficult!

The second-half display by Esher was to be one of the finest they have every achieved.

They again came out looking to cement their number one league position.

The intelligent kicking of Matt Leek who had only been passed fit earlier in the day and the power of the forwards was to win the day.

On 43 minutes Blackheath infringed at another Esher driving maul saw Hallett put Esher back in front with a penalty kick.

The scenario was mirrored on 48 minutes as Blackheath looked in tatters trying to defend the driving maul, this time they had their centre Rory Binder sent to the bin.

Hallett again converted the penalty kick as Esher now led 15-10.

As things happen in threes, it was not strange for the situation to happen again on 53 minutes as once again to the frustration of the Esher players and management, Blackheath infringed inside their own 22 in an effort to stop the powerful Esher forwards gaining a try.

Hallett once again slotted over the kick. Esher now led 18-10.

Esher now began to open up having chipped away at the scoreboard.

On 55 minutes Marsh chased a kick ahead by Leek, the ball bouncing just in play, Marsh kicked the ball on the volley in a style that Becks would have been proud off, Marsh then won the race for the line and touched the ball down for Esher's first try of the game. Hallett, who was on fire, with the boot converted.

Esher were now playing for fun and produced a league leaders' display.

On 70 minutes, Leek intercepted a wild pass by the Blackheath back line, with 50m to run, his little legs began to work overtime, with Matt Moore in support and screaming for the ball, Leek was in no mood to give this one away, his first try of the season.

Leek got to line having seen off the chasing defenders and scored under the posts. Hallett converted. Esher were not finished and went for the kill.

Play again went into the Blackheath's third of the field, and once again Esher showed class as they broke the defensive line - this time it was Hallett himself who scored the try, which he converted to make it 39-10.

Now Esher were seeking the bonus point. On 74 minutes the game was again in the Blackheath 22, an area that Esher seemed to spend much of the game as they dominated territorially.

Leek chipped ahead, Moore chased and won the race to get the fourth Esher try. Hallett converted giving him a personal tally of 31 points for the game.

This was a complete team performance. Esher showed their killer instinct when the chips are down. With a week off, they look to get their injured back to full health and await the challenge of Cambridge at home.

They then have another team from the top four as they take on Henley away on December 2.

While Hallett must be praised for his 31 points, it was a team performance and one they can be proud off.

Esher: 15 N Hallett - 14 M Moore - 13 B Armitage - 12 T Clouston - 11 R Biggs - 10 M Leek - 9 M Marsh 1 D Cormack - 2 T Doran - 3 J Smith - 4 M Butterworth - 5 E Amapakabo - 6 M Blakeburn - 7 L Vondrasek - 8 L Starling Replacements: 60 A Alexander for J Smith: 70 S Elkinson for T Doran: 17 M Marsh for R Briggs: A Mockford for E Amapakabo Esher Scorers: Tries: M Marsh: M Leek: N Hallett: M Moore: Cons N Hallett 4: Pens N Hallett 6