Esher 34-29 Chinnor ( att : 677 )

April 14^th, 2019

Rugby’s National League One is a very tough division.

Since Christmas, Chinnor have been on a poor run as injuries, fatigue & loss of form have struck. Also perhaps the surprise element is no longer there as sides have figured out how they play ? Safely in mid-table they arrived at Esher having lost 5 matches in a row. The home side sit bottom of the table, but hoping for two wins in their last two matches plus favourable results elsewhere to keep them in the division. In an anyone can beat anyone league, this is not impossible. 

Esher's Director of Rugby was sacked a few weeks ago and assistant coach Tom Williams ( he of the bloodgate scandal 10 years ago ) is in temporary charge. This is his final home game in charge though, as Esher have announced Peter Winterbottom as DOR for next season.

So, with a journey of just over an hour around the M40 & M25 in prospect it was time for my first away game of the season. Just as Chinnor actually play in Thame, Esher’s ground is on the border between Walton & Hersham, not in Esher. I didn't see any reference to Sham69 though.

There is ample parking, and the ground has a 1,200 seat stand along the far side of the pitch.

Along the other side is a grass bank, and on a crisp, but dry day, many of the spectators ( including myself ) choose to watch on this side.

By the right hand side of the entrance is the hot food van, which also dispenses Heineken, Youngs and an array of soft drinks. The food looked reasonable priced with most things on the menu costing £3.50.

To the left and behind one end is the clubhouse, with a large lounge where President John Inverdale is hosting around 150 people for the pre-match lounge, and a large bar area quite thoughtfully laid out with rows of tables and sofas on one side, and standing area on the other. There is a typical selection of beers and lagers on offer but nothing particularly appealing so I opt for the Coast to Coast IPA ( £4.20 ) whilst Mrs Fatbear’s glass of wine is £4.50. 

Outside there are about half a dozen tables and chairs under a canopy, which although probably intended for smokers, as ashtrays were on the table, only one table is occupied by people smoking and we sit down to consume our pre-match drink here.

As the teams are announced, the man over the tannoy informs that Esher’s number 8 would be having his second enforced rest of the season after a red card the previous week. However, he said the player had pointed out that it was for two yellows, one for a technical offence and the other for foul play – so it wasn’t really a red card ! Esher’s scrum half is announced as returning from injury, and it sounds like Jack Wiltshire, which would be like his footballing namesake. Unfortunately, the programme reveals the player is actually Jack Walsh……….

In the first half Chinnor approach tackling as an optional extra, they initially keep giving possession away and after just 8 minutes Esher have raced into a 15-0 lead. Chinnor soon score from a rolling maul from a line-out.....

....but go back to sleep again as Esher run in two more unopposed tries to secure the bonus point and a 29-7 lead. Ironically, two of the four tries were scored by the George Simpson, full-back who started the season at Chinnor on loan from Ealing Trailfinders. As he didn’t even get close to starting a game during Chinnor’s good run, Ealing took him back and shipped him out to Esher. Jack Walsh looks outstanding, perhaps Chinnor thought he was so fragile they dare not tackle him !

After 30 minutes Chinnor started making some inter-changes and the pattern of the game changes. They camp in the Esher 22 for the rest of the half but only came away with one try for 29-12 at half-time.

Chinnor open the second half strongly and with 13 minutes of constant possession and countless phases in the Esher half eventually score as winger Oscar Heath sneaks over in the corner. A perennial bug-bare of mine is that defenders stop trying once an opponent has crossed the line, so rather than being forced to touch down out wide with a difficult conversion, Heath is allowed to trot under the posts. 29-19

Shortly after, Chinnor launched another promising attack, but drop the ball in midfield and from the turnover Esher sweep forward and with a number of smart offloads our friend Jack scores in the far corner. With the difficult conversion missed it is now 34-19.

Chinnor dominate the rest of the match. Craig Holland, the other wing crosses for his 25^th try of the season to make it 34-26, and with 8 minutes left on the clock a long range penalty is kicked to make it 34-29 to move within losing bonus point range, and a converted try to win.

With 2 minutes to go Chinnor have a line-out on the Esher 22 and things looked promising. Unfortunately though for the visiting supporters. Esher steal the line out and then win a penalty, which is kicked to touch. Their line-out ball is secured, and with time up, the ball is kicked off the park to secure the win.

With the day’s other results Esher stay bottom but a win in two weeks’ time at Blackheath might keep them up if Loughborough Students, Cambridge and Caldy all lose. If Esher go down, they will possibly have the best ground in National 2 South !

Overall a pleasant day out, despite the result. It was £15 to get in, £5 for parking and £1 for a programme. For non-members, at Chinnor it is £15 including parking and programme but the food and drinks are cheaper at Esher.

Highlights : https://www.chinnor-rfc.com/videos/chinnor-vs-esher-highlights-145735.html