5 tries for Barnes but 9 for Esher

The visitors secured Barnes kick-off and recycled once close then were awarded the first penalty at the next breakdown. The kick sent the home team back to 16 metres inside their half. From the line-out Esher used 3 close phases to get the second penalty and kicked for another line-out 14 metres out. Securing that they went for a front peel then after 5 mixed recycles an inside pass from fly-half Roberts sent flanker Gossington over not far from the posts before 4 minutes. The fly-half added.

The visitors secured the high restart and kept the ball for 3 phases before using an up-and-under. Barnes got the ball and went wide, attacking well to 10 metres out. At the breakdown there the defence was penalised then a Barnes’ player, rucking to get the ball out, was deemed to be stamping and the penalty was reversed and the offender rested for 10 minutes. The kick took Esher to 4 metres from halfway and directly from the line-out centre Chaumeton broke clear and sent flanker Wilkins to the posts before 7 minutes. The fly-half added.

Barnes tried a shorter restart that was secured by the visitors. After 2 phases they were turned over and Barnes recycled twice to get their first penalty 14 metres into the opposition half. The kick for the corner went dead giving Esher a scrum back; at it they kept the ball in and advanced some metres to get a penalty. They kicked into the other half then threw their line-out marginally not-straight. Barnes chose another line-out and kept the ball in at first then went wide catching the defence offside 3 metres past halfway. The kick failed to find touch and the visitors cleared the ball off 18 metres inside their half. Barnes soon went wide from the line-out and put together 9 good phases before losing possession in a tackle. Esher got the ball and went wide; after 5 phases including one break out wide they kicked through flat to touch 19 metres from their opponents' line. Barnes used an up-and-under from their line-out and that was dealt with by the visitors who went wide. A high tackle resulted in a penalty for Esher and another 10 minute rest for an opposition player. The kick took the visitors to 20 metres out. Their pack started a drive, another penalty was signalled then the ball was released and an inside pass sent wing James to the line at 16 minutes. Roberts added.

The high restart resulted in a scrum for the visitors then a penalty at that at their 10 metre line. They ran the ball almost all they way to the opposition line. Another penalty 5 metres out was run then recycled widest. The defence forced an error to get a scrum put-in 7 metres out. From it they used an up-and-under that resulted in another scrum for them 12 metres out. When the ball came out of the wheeling scrum Esher got it and recycled twice wide to send James over near the corner for his second after 22 minutes. An excellent conversion from the fly-half followed.

The visitors secured the restart and soon went widest making good ground; then after 3 more phases Barnes forced an error which was followed by their penalty 15 metres inside their half. The kick gained them 22 metres and from the line-out they went wide; after recycling 3 times they recovered from another and recycled twice more to get another penalty at their opponents' 10 metre line. This kick took them to 13 metres out; the pack first kept the ball in then a forward broke off and made some ground. One recycle sent inside centre Van Buuren to the posts after 28 minutes. Fly-half Hammett added.

The restart was followed by a couple of errors that resulted in a scrum for Esher 24 metres from the opposition line. They released from that then passed forward 28 metres out. From their scrum Barnes' fullback kicked long and the visitors cleared well to touch 7 metres from halfway. Barnes went wide from the line-out through the hands then fullback Strang, I think, put wing Martey through a gap; a couple of passes sent scrumhalf Davies to score at 35 minutes. The fly-half converted.

Barnes secured the restart and soon used an up-and-under. Esher got the ball then three kicks followed leading to a line-out for the home team 5 metres past halfway. First releasing to centre then recycling twice but not advancing they were awarded a penalty that they ran to the 22. They recycled 5 more times, mostly close, to get another penalty that was again run. A couple of passes got them close to the line then the ball was recycled to hooker Ruddock who forced his way over. The not difficult conversion was sliced wide before the halftime whistle, leaving Barnes 9 points behind.

Barnes used a nearly vertical up-and-under following the second half restart. Esher got the ball and soon kicked into the 22; this was marked and the ball then kicked ahead for territory. The visitors ran wide and advanced then after 3 phases passed into touch 15 metres into the opposition half. They stole the line-out then soon released and recycled once wide and Roberts broke through down the wing to the line and came in to the posts at 3 minutes. He added for a 16 point lead.

Esher used an up-and-under soon after the restart; Barnes got the ball and kept it for 4 phases before the opposition forced an error to get a scrum at their 10 metre line. From that they released then chipped through to touch 32 metres from Barnes' line. They stole a second line-out and put together 11 mostly close phases until the defence forced an error to get a scrum put-in just outside their 22. From that they kicked for territory; Esher ran back recycling 3 times before being penalised at halfway. Another kick didn't find touch but the visitors cleared to touch 28 metres out then stole a third line-out. They used an up-and-under that Barnes secured then recycled twice advancing to the 22 where they were turned over. Next Esher quickly progressed to their scrum 17 metres from halfway at which their opposition was penalised. The kick took them to the other 10 metre line and from that line-out they kept the ball close to get another penalty that was kicked to 15 metres out. From that they set for a drive that the defence held then they recycled close 8 times, with the defence very good, to their 5 metre scrum. From that they broke blind and wing Beckett touched down near the corner at 15 minutes. The conversion was wide and Esher were 21 points ahead.

The visitors returned the restart with an up-and-under; Barnes got the ball and kept it for six mixed phases to get a penalty 4 metres past halfway. They decided to run this and got the ball out wide to Martey who set off on a long diagonal run. He was caught before the line then forced his way over not far from the posts before the end of the 3rd quarter. Hammett added

Barnes secured the restart and kept the ball for another six mixed phases advancing out wide all the way to the other 22 then chipping through towards the line. This almost claimed by a Barnes' player but just unsuccessfully. The Ref. went back to a penalty at the 22 and Hammett reduced the deficit to 11 points 3 minutes after the previous try.

Three minutes later Esher scored their seventh try; an error just after Barnes had secured the restart gave the visitors a scrum 26 metres. They kept the ball in at first then released close and an offload sent replacement lock Gentles to the posts and Roberts added his sixth conversion.

Barnes regained from their restart and kept the ball for 3 phases advancing to get a penalty 29 metres out that kicked to touch 6 metres out. They did not secure their line-out and the result was a scrum for the defence. After a no. 8 pick-up Barnes won a turnover and crossed the line following a forward pass. The Ref. went back to a scrum for the attacking team 9 metres out. After this had been reset Barnes broke blind to go close then recycled blind again for their no. 8 Hind to touch down wide out at 34 minutes. The conversion was wide.

Barnes secured the restart then after they had recycled twice the rugby equivalent of an own goal was created by a mistake between two of their players. Esher got the loose ball and one pass and 3 recycles sent Roberts over for his second try at 36 minutes. He added.

The visitors secured the close restart and quickly made ground then recycled wide to break to the other 22. Three more phases took them to the line where they were held up. From the 5 metre scrum they broke blind then wing James stepped to cross for his hat trick. Roberts added.

Warm and dry, cooling later; no wind, the pitch very good.