Otley 10 Esher 57

Otley have a great tradition within the rugby fraternity – who could forget the memorable victory over the All Blacks played at their home Cross Green? They are now in a rebuilding phase and Esher capitalised on this as they secured a four-try bonus point before half-time of this National League Division One clash.

Esher opened on fire and went three points up after only three minutes through a Sam Ulph penalty. The visiting pack dominated and, with the ball going through all 15 players' hands at times, this was a treat for the neutral supporter.

The Surrey side's pack drove the young Otley bucks back and on six minutes, Esher’s number eight Shawn Renwick bagged the first of his brace.

Ulph’s kicking boots were red hot and he slotted over the first of his seven conversions added to his penalty giving him a 17-point match total.

Further tries by Esher forwards, Simon Gaynor and James Campbell were in dispersed with one from the backs through scrum-half Garrick Cowley.

This secured the bonus point on 34 minutes.

Otley fought back with one try through Steadman and this was almost as soon as he returned from his 10 minutes in the sin bin.

He broke away and left the Esher defence at sixes and sevens. The conversion was missed.

Otley began the second period with another try, when Ollie Denton the Leeds academy player burst through with a chip a head. He collected the favourable bounce and he sped away to score.

This made the score 31-10.

The Otley score made Esher up the ante and scored four more tries, Renwick getting his brace as did Gaynor.

Further scores by Sam Stitcher and finally Tom Loizides.

Esher introduced several players from the bench, the Fridge freezer – Colm Hannon, Sam Ian Barnes and also a returning from injury Kevin Corrigan.

The final score allowed Esher to regain the five-point gap over London Scottish, the club's nearest challengers.

With three games to go before the festive season, Esher will welcome the return from injury of a number players as well as one back honeymoon.

The selection problem will be one have and, within the next week or two, Esher will be able to select from a full strength squad for the first time this season.

Esher: Ulph – Loizides – Chisholm – Jewell (Smith) – Hylton – Slemen – Cowley (Barnes) – Marler Campbell (Corrigan) – Warren (Hannon) – Barker – Anderson – Gaynor – Stitcher – Renwick (York)

Scorers: Tries – Renwick 2 – Gaynor 2 – Campbell – Cowley – Stitcher – Loizides

Cons: Ulph 7

Pens: Ulph 1

This weekend, Esher are back a Molesey Road for the first time in three weeks.

They face Nuneaton, with kick-off at 3pm.