LAST MINUTE LOSS

ESHER 31 CANTERBURY 24

by David Haigh

A last minute try gave Esher the final word in this competitive pre-season friendly but Canterbury Head Coach Matt Corker could take plenty of positives from the performance of his senior squad. The downside was a facial injury to unlucky wing Alfie Orris who was in powerful form as the city side took control of the early stages and built a twelve point lead. The coaching panel said they will be asking the team to play with real pace this season, and they were as good as their word as the starting lineup put width on their game from the kick-off. It was rewarded by a third minute try from new signing Luke Talbot but the second score came from another area of strength – a pack which quickly stamped its authority on the set pieces and carried hard. They forced a penalty, set up a catch and drive which was finished by hooker Eoin O’Donoghue and converted by Frank Reynolds. Esher has seen little of the ball up to that point but when they finally got the chance they took it smartly with a try and by half time had drawn level through a converted score. With both sides making changes to give all their squads a first outing the second half lacked the fluency of the first 40 minutes but the contest remained tight. Canterbury grabbed an early try as they built pressure and centre Frank Morgan’s strength took him over the line and Reynolds was again on target. Esher came back with an unconverted try, but it was the final quarter that shifted the balance in their favour. A much changed city pack came under pressure and Esher took the lead for the first time with a converted catch and drive score. A similar effort from Canterbury’s new boy, Ryley Thomas, leveled matters at 24-24, and that seemed a fair reflection of the game. However, penalties were given away and Esher forward power won it with the last move.