HOPPERS went down to a heavy defeat on a sodden pitch although the opening minutes gave no indication of what was to follow as Hoppers took the initiative.

When Esher mounted their first attack, the referee awarded a penalty which Gregory kicked with ease.

This was to be the pattern of the first half. Whenever the home side reached Hoppers 22, a penalty seemed the inevitable outcome

Four more easy opportunities were accepted by Gregory and in consequence his side held a comfortable interval lead.

The referee had sent Neil Ashton to the sin bin late in the half and Ged Welsh followed soon after the interval.

Penalties six and seven marked Welsh's absence as did an Esher try after a prolonged handling movement. Gregory converted.

Hoppers' injury list continued to mount as James Porteous joined first half casualty John Chesworth for treatment

Peter Carter's appearance was short-lived as the referee decided that he had deliberately disrupted an Esher move when returning from an offside position. With Hoppers again a man short, Esher notched an eighth penalty followed by a converted try. An unconverted try then rewarded the Esher forwards.

Amazingly the final quarter hour saw no further scoring. Indeed Hoppers, back to full strength, took the game to their opponents.

The ball eluded Paul Bailey in the in goal area and Hoppers supporters were left to ponder how different the final scoreline might have been if their side had played the 80 minutes at full strength.

On Saturday entertain Nottingham in a vital relegation game. Kick-off is at 2.15 p.m.

Esher 43 Preston Grasshoppers 0