Journey continues for Esher

Esher began well and within two minutes they led through a Neil Hallett penalty. The points then began to mount at short intervals.

Nuneaton did have some chances to put their name on the scoreboard, but their kicker Gareth Cull was not at his best as he missed penalties at goal on four and seven minutes.

On nine minutes Winger Matt Moore, came through on a switch move that caught out the Nuneaton defence, his pace saw him outrun the chasing defenders to score the first of Esher's six tries and the first of his hat-trick.

Hallett converted the try and Esher led 14-0.

Nuneaton are a young side but clearly have potential and they battled back with some nicely worked moves, but the Esher defence was in no mood to concede.

The best the Nun's got was a successful penalty by Cull on 23 minutes, this was to be their only score.

Esher were in control and with Moore's second try on 26 minutes, Hallett converting.

On 35 minutes Nuneaton then had full back Jon Lowden sent to the sin bin for deliberately preventing Esher getting good ball from a ruck near the Nuneaton line.

From the ensuing penalty, Esher fans were delighted to see what now seems a usual occurance as Duncan Cormack maintained his record of scoring with another try from the trade mark driving maul on 36 minutes, Hallett converting to give Esher a neat cushion going into half time 28-3.

Nuneaton came out for the second half flying and for a short period posed a few problems for Esher.

Esher also had their own problems to deal with as on 42 minutes skipper Cormack was sent to the sin bin for stamping at a ruck.

With a man down Esher held firm against the Nuneaton attacks and showed the signs that were so evident last season as they defended stoutly. With Cormack back on, Esher began to take command again and a penalty by Hallett on 56 minutes settled Esher back into their normal pattern.

On 59 minutes a moment of controversy struck Esher.

With a maul formed on the far side and close to Referee Mr Turnill and the far side touch judge, Esher looked to have won the ball.

However, the touch judge on the stand side of the pitch used his extraordinary eyesight to see something everyone else missed.

A consultation between Mr Turnill and the touch judge now taking place, both sides held there breathe.

Mr Turnill called over Esher skipper Cormack and produced another yellow card, which as this was his second resulted in a Red card. The offence was another alleged stamp by Cormack.

Esher were forced to make changes as they had already made substitutions.

With a man down Esher then began to show why they are top of the league and produced three further tries.

On 68 minutes replacement hooker Simon Elkinson was driven over the line to score, on 70 minutes Mat Moore again broke through the Nuneaton defence to score his third and on 80 minutes Alex Mockford scored from a well-worked lineout move.

With Hallett converting all three tries, Esher cruised to their eighth consecutive win this season.

With Launceston's defeat at Stourbridge, it leaves Esher seven points clear at the top of the table.

However, there is no one taking this position lightly as there is still a very long way to go, and with clubs such as Blackheath, Henley and Launceston still within striking distance of Esher, the campaign is only just beginning.

Next Week Esher travel to Launceston for what will be our toughest game so far.

Esher's next home game is on Saturday, November 4, versus Harrogate.

Esher: 15 N Hallett - 14 M Moore - 13 B Armitage - 12 T Clouston - 11 R Biggs - 10 M Leek - 9 G Barr 1 D Cormack - 2 T Doran - 3 J Smith - 4 M Butterworth - 5 P Barker - 6 M Blakeburn - 7 L Vondrasek - 8 L Starling Replacements: 43 A Alexander for M Blakeburn (FR Sin Bin Rep - 52): 52 A Alexander for J Smith: 58 S Elkinson for T Doran: 58 A Mockford for L Starling: 60 M Marsh for T Clouston: M Blakeburn for J Smith (FR Sin Bin Rep Perm) Esher Scorers: Tries: M Moore 3: D Cormack: S Elkinson: A Mockford: Cons N Hallett 5, Pens N Hallett 5