Bishop's Stortford 1st XV 24 Esher 17

Esher seemed to take time to adjust to the Hertfordshire climate and were slow out of the blocks, allowing Stortford to dominate the opening exchanges of this game, sponsored by active Club supporters, GQ Wealth Management. The resultant pressure culminated in a try to Matt Riddington, who dodged and powered his way over the line from some 25 yards out, after fellow centre, Sam Winter had made a telling break and good ground. George Cullen's confident conversion took his side out to a 7 point lead and it was the same player who added three points to the tally with a penalty goal some 20 minutes later. In the meantime, an aggressive Esher side had steadily become more of a force, aided somewhat, it has to be said by some loose Stortford kicking. As a result, the visitors enjoyed much more possession, but were rebuffed repeatedly by a strong Stortford defence, which, with Sam Winter leading by example, never seemed to lose its shape, despite being stretched on occasions by some powerful running and some clever long passes. Despite the pressure, Stortford managed a rare sortie into Esher's 22 after some 25 minutes, forcing a penalty at a breakdown and Cullen kicked the goal to stretch the lead to 10. The home side then enjoyed a period of possession and were threatening on the Esher 22, when an ambitious chip kick under pressure was smothered and the visitors were quick to capitalise on the resultant turnover. They drove upfield and some impressive handling amongst their backs in the Stortford 22 produced an impressive try close to the posts giving flyhalf, Paul Roberts an easy conversion just before the break to take his side into the distant changing rooms only 3 points adrift.

With the game so evenly poised, both sides came out aggressively but, despite a few errors and, in particular a couple of soft penalty concessions, it was Stortford that enjoyed the better of the early exchanges. Thus it was that 15 minutes into the half, the home side won a penalty and kicked for touch around halfway, which they used as the platform to launch a tremendous attack, based on quick handling and repeated recycling. This took them to the within the shadow of the Esher posts and a strong ruck produced quick ball, which Tom Banks seized on to dive over the line, giving Cullen an easy conversion. Better was to come within 5 minutes, when another spell of running rugby and quick recycling allowed replacement winger, Ryan Hutler to run in under the posts from a well-timed, short pass. Cullen's conversion took the score to 24-7 and the home side now looked to be getting on top after the restart. Two penalties in quick succession against Stortford, though - the first won by Esher's powerful pack at a scrum and the second at the resultant lineout - gave the visitors a lineout on Stortford's 5 metre line. An efficient catch and drive duly produced a try out wide, but Roberts' conversion attempt fell just short. Esher clearly took renewed confidence from this score and quickly exerted more pressure on Stortford's defence. Another penalty to the visitors with about 5 minutes to go again went to touch for a 5 metre lineout and, once again, Stortford were unable to hold out a powerful drive from the Esher pack. Roberts again, just missed the conversion, leaving his side 7 points behind. This was enough to secure a losing bonus point for the visitors, but neither side was content to settle for what they had, with both going hammer and tongs at the opposition in search of a fourth try. In the event, strong defences won the day and the game ended with the 24-17 scoreline.

There were many outstanding performances on both sides in this closely-contested match, but the Man of the Match sponsors, Copper 88 chose Stortford flyhalf, George Cullen for the award. Congratulations go to all 20 of Stortford's players for another battling display, which should allow them to enjoy their break next weekend that bit more - though the challenge thereafter posed by the visit of Darlington Mowden Park will certainly not be lost sight of!!