NEWBURY 5 ESHER 11

National League Division OneThis was not a game for the purists as two teams desperate for points fought a tough defensive battle for 80 minutes.

With World Cup referee Chris White in charge it must have been chalk and cheese compared with what he is used to.

However, one thing that cannot be disputed is the commitment shown by both sides in an effort to stop the opposition entering scoring territory.

Esher had the better of the opening exchanges as Newbury coming off the back of a small defeat at Exeter looked shaky.

Esher took the lead on six minutes through a Dave Hewitt penalty as the Newbury forwards were penalised for coming in at the side of a ruck.

The game then evened out with both sides trying to play a wide game but both defences battling hard.

On 19 minutes Newbury were on the attack close to the Esher line, with an overlap on the short side, the home side took advantage and crept in just by the corner flag, with no TMO required the try was good and Newbury led 5-3.

The game continued in a fair but physical combat with both sides aware of what victory would mean.

On 28 minutes another Esher attack was thwarted by Newbury forwards collapsing a ruck, the penalty just out to the right was difficult in the wind, but Hewitt made good his kick and Esher led 6-5.

This would be the last score for another 50 minutes of play.

Without pressing home how important a win would be, each side fought like lions to prevent their opposition getting into scoring positions.

The second saw both sides getting close, but either superb defence of the odd forward pass preventing any further scores.

With the clock ticking down into the final minutes, Esher were not relying on a one-point lead and mounted a fearsome attack on the Newbury defence.

First George Robson made a break and if his final pass was just a little better, would have seen Esher wing Charlie Amesbury for in for a try.

Then it was Esher's Lee Starling who set up another attack, again a final ball going just short.

It was down to Mike Blakeburn who from 18 yards out broke clear to score a try that was to be the winner.

With the kick out wide right, Hewitt just failed, a conversion would have prevented Newbury the one point bonus, but Esher were delighted to have the lead.

A tense minute or so followed as Newbury who needed a converted try to win, cam at Esher with everything in their armoury, but the brave Esher boys held firm and gained a famous victory away from home, their first of the season.

This was a huge game for both sides, each defence going through the one of the most physical battles they will encounter all season. Credit to both sides as it was clean and no yellow cards.

The Esher players earned their after match pint and now look ahead to next week's home game against Coventry (2pm).

ESHER: Cormack - Campbell - Alexander (Croall 40) - Barker (61Harris) - Inglis - Robson- Starling - Blakeburn - Barr - Hewitt -Amesbury - Clouston- Armitage - Moore - Flockhart Esher scorers: Tries - Blakeburn - Pens Hewitt 2.