Barnes compete strongly apart from ...

Esher cleared the high kick-off to touch with a very good take nearly to the other 22 then stole the line-out. Barnes forced an error to get the first put-in further up field but were then pushed back in the scrum and the opposition got the ball. They put together 4 good phases to get to 2 metres out then recycled 5 more times before getting over the line at 4 minutes not far from the posts for an easy conversion.

The home team secured the restart and ran the ball then were forced into touch. The visitors took a quick throw-in and soon kicked to the 22 where an error gave them another scrum. They attacked strongly from that in the centre and got to 2 metres out. They recycled blind from before being forced into touch then they stole the 5-metre line-out. They recycled close 3 times to get a penalty 6 metres out and fullback Alkin kicked the points at 9 minutes.

An error after the restart gave the visitors the third put-in 28 metres from their line. Esher got the ball at this and after an advance recycled tight 4 times until penalised for not releasing 9 metres out. The kick got Barnes out of their 22 and they won their line-out then advanced to get another penalty 30 metres out. The next kick took them to 5 metres from halfway. From this line-out the quickly went wide and then recycled to the blind side. Wing Cottenden then set off and brilliantly carved his way through the opposition. They move was kept going by good support and the ball through several hands. The ball was recycled close to Esher's line but having got over was adjudged held-up. At the 5 metre scrum Barnes were again pushed off their ball and Esher cleared to touch just outside their 22.

Next they stole another line-out and broke away into the other half. They put together 9 phases that included another line break to get a penalty 13 metres out near centre field and took the 3 points at 19 minutes.

Barnes regained their restart and recycled 3 times advancing to get a scrum at their opponents' 22. This time they kept the ball and got it away; they went wide and got to 5 metres out where they defence was penalised. They kicked for a line-out then their drive was held and went down 3 metres out. The ball was recycled close twice to get another penalty 5 metres out. They opted for a line-out but that was stolen.

Esher cleared but only to 6 metres out. From the next line-out Barnes were forced backwards then advanced again recycling 4 times until forced into touch 5 metres out. Esher cleared to touch; this must have been touched by an opposition player as they got the line-out 15 metres out. From that their pack kept the ball close and advanced with 5 phases before kicking ahead. Barnes ran the ball wide and soon kicked ahead. Esher next recycled twice to get a penalty for a tackler not releasing the ball carrier. They ran the penalty to the corner where they got over not long before the half-hour. The conversion was wide.

Esher secured the high restart then soon released wide sending a player all the way to the posts within 2 minutes of the previous try. The conversion followed.

Three kicks followed the restart; the visitors ran the ball for 4 phases before being penalised for not releasing. Esher kicked for a line-out 16 metres into the opposition half. From that they released to centre then Barnes forced an error to get a scrum 28 metres from their line. Esher got the ball in the scrum and broke through at centre to go over not far from the posts for another converted try at 34 minutes.

Esher secured the restart and went blind before chipping over the opposition line to touch 5 metres into the other half. After the line-out the visitors varied their recycling with 4 phases before kicking ahead and regaining. They chipped ahead to the line; Esher got back for a 22 drop-out. That was long and Barnes ran the ball back, recycling twice to get a penalty at halfway. This was kicked for a line-out 30 metres out; the ball was kept in to get another penalty a couple of metres ahead. Alkin's kick for the points missed before the halftime whistle.

Esher regained their high restart but were soon penalised. The kick took the visitors to their line-out just inside the other half. They got a free-kick at that and ran it before the defence forced an error to get the next scrum 13 metres inside their half. The ball was kept in to get a penalty as Barnes were forced back. The kick took the home team to a line-out 9 metres into the other half.

They kept the ball close through 9 phases until the opposition forced an error. Advantage was played and Barnes recycled 4 times before another error was forced giving Esher a put-in 8 metres inside their half.

Esher kicked ahead after caring their recycling through four phases. Barnes ran the ball to get a penalty after 4 phases. From 9 metres into the half the kick took them to 12 metres out. The line-out was thrown not-straight then from the scrum Esher broke blind and one pass sent a player to the opposition posts at 11 minutes.

The visitors got the ball after the high restart when it was allowed to bounce. They kicked ahead; Esher cleared to touch just outside the opposition 22. They set for a drive that went down 7 metres out. They recycled 3 times to get a penalty 6 metres out at the far side and kicked for a line-out 5 metres out. Esher stole the line-out and kicked; this resulted in their line-out at the 22. Now Barnes stole a line-out and advanced before they were penalised 13 metres out. Esher kicked for a line-out 4 metres inside their half. The visitors forced a turnover after 3 phases from Esher and advanced blind to get a penalty 14 metres into the half. They kicked for a line-out 18 metres out. Their drive got them close to the line and after recycling once tight got a penalty 5 metres out. They ran this and after the ball was recycled once flanker Malaney (having returned after more than 2+1/2 seasons’ absence) touched down wide out at 20 minutes. The conversion was wide.

Esher got a penalty after their high restart 20 metres into the half. This was kicked for a line-out 5 metres out and from it their wing scored wide-out after the ball had been recycled 3 times. This 4 minutes after the previous try; the conversion hit the post and stayed out.

Esher secured the restart and kicked ahead after recycling twice; Barnes ran the ball then were forced into touch 20 metres into their opponents' half. After the line-out and two recycles the visitors forced a turnover and went wide and on to the corner where stand-in Blamire touched down at the half-hour. A very good conversion from Alkin followed.

Esher regained their high restart and put together11 very good phases before being penalised for not releasing 7 metres from Barnes' line. The visitors ran the penalty recycling twice before being forced into touch 4 metres inside their half. From the line-out Esher went wide and kicked to the line after recycling twice; this resulted in a 22 drop-out. Esher ran the ball then at the next ruck the ball came out the side and a Barnes' player ran 50 metres with it deep into the other half. A poor pass gave Esher the next scrum 14 metres from their line. Two turnovers followed before a scrum for the visitors at their opponents' 22. Again the ball was taken against the head; Esher went wide and got a penalty 27 metres from their line. They ran this to get another 12 metres inside their half. This was kicked for a line-out 14 metres into the other half. From that they recycled 4 times before the defence forced an error to get the last scrum put-in. After this was reset twice Esher again took it against the head. They put together 3 phases before the final whistle.