RFU National League Two: Sedgley Park RUFC...11pts, Esher...26pts

THE rain poured, but the action was fast and skilful throughout an entertaining match. Sedgley will be unhappy with the result, though they played well. Esher were very impressive.

Playing down the slope, the visitors began strongly, dominating possession for the first ten minutes and being rewarded with a good try.

Giant winger Nyshia Shumba was the scorer, straightening the line and bursting through tackles; Jon Gregory converted.

Slow starts have been a feature of Sedgley's performances this season, but as usual they then began to play well.

New stand-off Arno de Jager impressed with his distribution, bringing out the best of Jon Scales, and full-back Chris Glynn frequently kicked with length and accuracy.

With the line-out functioning well, Paul Rees especially, Sedgley were winning all their own ball and some of Eshers, and the pressure mounted.

De Jager kicked a couple of penalties to reduce the margin to one point only and it seemed the tide was turning. Another barnstorming run by Scales won yet another penalty and Esher hooker Joe Clark departed for ten minutes in the sin-bin. This was Sedgleys chance to turn the screw.

What actually happened was the exact reverse. The penalty kick sailed wide and, moments later, 14-man Esher went further ahead.

The one blot on Sedgley's performance so far had been a tendency to force passes, not a good policy in such difficult conditions, and handling errors had been frequent. Now they lost the ball on half-way and the speedy Esher backs struck impressively. Once again Shumba was the scorer, once again Gregory converted.

A half-time score of 14-16 was a not insurmountable deficit and Sedgley continued to apply pressure.

The killer blow was struck after 12 minutes. Sedgley were attacking on the Esher 22 when, once again, the ball was spilled. Esher quickly moved it to their left where winger Gregory was released.

He was hauled down just short but, impressively, lock Robert Hart had supported and he was at Gregorys elbow to touch down a wonderful 80-metre try.

The rain had increased in intensity, and so too did Eshers play. With stand-off Chris Finch giving a fine exhibition, the visitors drew grudging applause from the staunchest of Sedgley supporters.

Sedgleys fading chances now suffered twin blows of misfortune. Esher lock Mark Butterworth appeared to drop the ball over the line from waist height, but the try was given and Gregory converted it.

At the other end wing Paul Morris thought he had got downward pressure but the referee ruled held up.

Sedgley continued to play with vigour and skill, but Esher defended as well as they had attacked until, in the dying minutes, Chris Glynn scored in the right corner.

SEDGLEY PARK: Glynn; Bullough, Hassan (Morris), Scales, Naylor; de Jager, McCormack; Alcock, Keys (Roberts), Thomas; Arnold, Rees; Senior (Grainey), Yates, Fourie.