Esher youngsters get their chance to foil Scottish

This game had added spice since London Scottish had called off both opportunities to play at Esher, leaving this as a double-header, six-point match.

Although eagerness from the kick-off handed the ball straight to Scottish, it rapidly became apparent that, when in possession, the Esher backs could be lethal, particularly counter-attacks starting with the outstanding Ross Thompson.

The young Esher forwards found life tougher throughout the match but managed to stay on even terms and keep us in the game all the way through.

After the early penalty concession, the first relieving kick by Scottish was caught by Thompson, who fed Simon Edwards who cut the defence to ribbons, scoring from 40m.

Dan Wilde added the conversion to make it 7-3 but the game then started a pendulum-like approach.

First, Esher lost their own line-out close in to concede a try for 7-8; then, another counter-attack by Thompson followed by two quick rucks gave him the chance to finish in the corner, 12-8.

Scottish stayed in the game for the first 20 minutes, though, and, when Esher conceded a turnover in attack, a counter by their right wing put them back in front at 12-13.

Esher came back with a penalty by Dan Wilde and ended the first quarter 15-13.

The second quarter saw Esher establish territorial and possession advantage and the pace of the back play was stretching Scottish.

As pleasing was the ability to retain territory and maintain pressure, keeping Scottish pinned in their own half.

This was rewarded with an outstanding try. Jamie Williams put in a planned cross-kick, Andreas Robertson leapt and, instead of catching, deliberately palmed the ball off to Tom Curtis, who was able to score in the corner.

Even Scottish applauded the finish!

Esher turned round leading 20-13 but made a number of changes at half-time that led to some disruption in the game plan.

Failing to clear their line early on in the half with either poor kicks or poor decisions gave Scottish an easy try under our posts that levelled the score.

Scottish were now getting on top and pinning Esher back. Lineouts were being lost and the kicking game was poor yet the score stayed the same through resolute tackling and some outstanding work at ruck and maul by Andy Shields who, time and again, stripped the ball from Scottish attackers and made ground for Esher.

The last 10 minutes saw nerves begin to fray and, when a defensive mistake by the centres saw Scottish go ahead 25-20, the large group of Esher spectators feared the worst.

At last Esher’s kicking game returned and Jamie Williams and Ross Thompson put in clearance kicks that forced Scottish to concede a line-out inside their 22.

From the second, a set-piece move saw Bruce Fowles find space through the centre for a try that was converted well by Wilde under pressure to give Esher a 27-25 lead.

The last nine minutes continued the theme, with Esher defending well, clearing their lines with good kicks but Scottish able to build pressure.

No more scores came, however, and Esher ran out winners, deserved because of the quality of their back play and the stubbornness of young forwards.

With the news of the first XV’s promotion coming through just after the final whistle, this was a great end to a hard afternoon’s work.

A lot of young players have made some big steps forward this season, not least Nick Heath in the second row, who has started all but one league match, taken responsibility as line-out caller and been the main line-out jumper.

He has finished 17 of those 19 matches, putting in an enormous amount of work for an 18-year-old and showing great maturity throughout the season.

Jamie Williams also deserves a lot of credit for his captaincy throughout a season when 71 players have been used yet always managed to look like a team rather than a bunch of individuals.

Esher: 15 Ross Thompson; 14 Tom Curtis, 13 Dan Wilde, 12 Andreas Robertson, 11 Bruce Fowles; 10 Jamie Williams (capt), 9 Toby Seward; 8 Simon Edwards, 7 Oli Edwards, 6 Steve McConville; 5 Nick Heath, 4 Andy MacMillan; 3 Joe Simbo, 2 Chris Paul, 1 Luke Daws

Bench: 16 Andy Shields (6 40 mins), 17 Dave Kearsey (2 45 mins), 18 Ben D’Arcy (7 45 mins) 19 George Pickersgill (9 40 mins) 20 Myles Stringer (10 40 mins) 22 Jack Cooke (14 40 mins)

Scorers: T S Edwards, Thompson, Curtis, Fowles C Wilde 2 P Wilde