Esher answered their toughest challenge of the National League Two season thus on Saturday, securing a 33-19 victory at Launceston.

This top of the table clash caused both sides to begin nervously with neither side wanting to give their opponents an early score.

Esher were able to raise their game and in the opening minutes saw them take an early advantage.

The power of the Esher forwards forced the home side into early errors, this provided Neil Hallett with the chance he relishes and he converted a penalty kick to get Esher on the scoreboard (0-3).

Launceston hot back almost immediately with a penalty through their Kiwi fly Half Sam Young. Hallett and Young exchanged further penalties in a closely matched first 25 minutes and the score was tied at nine each.

With the clock ticking down, Esher made a rare defensive error that allowed the Launceston second row Steve Pape into score, with the conversion by Young they led 16 points to nine. Esher were also reduced to 14 men as Flanker Mike Blakeburn was sent to the sin bin.

A man and 16-9 down Esher came out for the second period on fire.

Within a minute Esher centre and find of the season caused the Cornish sides defence all sorts of problems as he changed gear and side stepped in one go to ease passed the three defenders and score under the posts, Hallett converted and the game was all square at 16-16.

Esher now restored to a full compliment were now dominating and on 58 minutes Matt Moore scored his ninth league try of the season and, with Haslett's conversion, Esher were in control.

A further penalty by Hallett increased the lead.

Launceston tried to make a game of it and showed character and grit as they tried to batter the Esher defence which was in no mood to throw this one away and Launceston's only score of the half came through a Young penalty on 78 minutes.

Esher were not done and, on 82 minutes, with the home side desperate for a score they threw a wild pass on their own goal line that Armitage leaping like a gazelle snatched from the air and the interception was complete as he scored his second of the game, with Hallett converting the game was effectively in the bag.

On the final whistle, their was utter joy from the Esher side and the Esher faithful who had made the long trip south-west to support.

This was a huge game in terms of the league, it was a true 8 pointer and Esher prevailed.

In the next few weeks they have games away at Blackheath who currently sit 2nd and Henley who are 4th. The next six games will shed some light on the future of Esher RFC.

Esher's next home game is on Saturday 4th November 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: 80 A Alexander for J Smith: 67 S Elkinson for T Doran: 65 A Mockford for M Blakeburn: 80M Marsh for G Barr Esher scorers - Tries: B Armitage 2, M Moore : Cons N Hallett 3, Pens N Hallett 4