It’s been a tough few weeks for the 1XV lads with narrow losses to sides we’d targeted as must-wins and brutal games against Old A’s and Dorking respectively. This encounter was to prove equally challenging with a confident Esher on the rise in the table despite their Head Coach and former England Full Back, Mike Brown announcing he will depart Molesey Road later in the season.

The match started in the usual frantic tussle as both sides tried to assert their strengths, Esher spent more time in the Welsh half with strong forward momentum on home turf leading to them gaining three penalties before going over for their first try after ten minutes.

Welsh worked their way back into the game with an immensely dominant scrum and swift clearances from Hywel at nine that allowed Bods and Manley to break the defensive lines. After some wayward lineout throws from Esher, some smart tactical kicking helped pin Esher back into their half before George West went through from a clever chip-through for a deserved try on 28 minutes with Flynn Ward grabbing the conversion to level the score. Two minutes later, as Esher pressed us back into our half, Welsh’s Ben Howard broke clear with a long-range gallop from our twenty-two, to put Jack Blain over, and us up 7-14 on the half-hour.

As Welsh enjoyed more powerful scrums, the forwards helped set up a strong attacking platform that allowed space for Daf Manley to run in our third try on 35 minutes to make it 7-19. As the clock ticked towards half-time, Welsh concentration slipped letting in a soft try in the opposite corner to go in 14-19.

After the break, both sides came out fighting with Esher striking first for a well worked try on 43 minutes. Shortly after, as Welsh freely attacked down the left, Esher’s defence earned a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on and a probable try went unscored, only for Harri Lang to go over three minutes later making the score 19-26 before Esher reciprocated only three minutes later to once again level the scores after 54 minutes.

As Welsh started to ring the changes with four substitutions, and with less than twenty minutes to go Esher’s fitness started to show as Welsh dropped off the pace, conceding a further four tries to finish the match 52-26 leaving us to rue the last period and come away with the single point.

A tough day out once more and with more fierce battles yet to come, today showed just how strong the Nat 2 teams are this year. Our support nevertheless remains unwavering, and we will all be there, the 16^th Welshman, at Old Deer Park for league leaders Oundle next week.

The Pixley’s Ultras Man-of-the-Match is Ben Howard, for his searing break from 50m leading to Blain’s try.

Thank you to Esher Rugby Club for the welcome and hospitality. We’ll see you at Old Deer Park in February!