National League Division One.

Esher were once again slow out of the starting blocks and this led to the Surrey side playing catch up rugby. Although this as the first time Esher had played Rotherham it was familiar territory to Mike Schmid who is still treated like a god to the Rotherham faithful, it was also once home to Lee Starling.

Esher trailed from the ninth minute when again they gifted their opponents easy scoring opportunities with some lack of discipline. This score from a Mike Whithead penalty. On 17 minutes, Rotherham scored the first of their four tries and with Whithead in form, he converted.

Esher once again had goal kicking opportunities but Neil Hallett seems off with his boots this season and on 25 minutes missed the first of a number of chances that proved costly.

Rotherham extended their lead on 29 minutes when Gary Connolly a converted back row playing in the centre powered his way over the Esher try line, Whithead missed the conversion his only miss of the day. At 15-0 down Esher had failed to show any penetration. Esher played similar patterns and seemed intent on trying to run the ball out of their own 22 instead of using the boot.

At the turn around Esher introduced two replacements, Aston Croall on loan from Harlequins came in for Simon Goldsmith at hooker and Paul Barker on for Adam Harris at Lock. Within six minutes of the restart Esher found themselves behind by 29 points. On 41 minutes Rotherham went further ahead through their winger John Feeley and with Whithead's conversion they went 22-0 to the good. From the restart Esher began to pressure for the first time but on 46 minutes when they kicked to clear their lines the ball flying to the half way line saw Esher's Matt Moore miss the catch, and the ball rebounded to the Titans winger Feeley who ran past all the Esher defenders to score, Whitehead converted and Esher were in deep trouble at 29-0 down.

Esher ringed further changes and bought on another debutant George Robson for Alex Mockford and Andrew Alexander for Jeff Smith in the front row. Esher then mounted an incredible fight back. Now using the boot and putting in some fine kicks Esher began to find their feet.

On 50 minutes a driving maul saw skipper Duncan Cormack go over for the first of his two tires, Hallett missed the conversion. Esher were then forced to change at fly half as Dave Hewitt was removed after suffering a knock to the head, Hallett stepped in and with Toby Clouston now in the centre as party of the re-shuffle.

With the clock on 61 minutes Esher were once again attacking and this was causing problems for the home side, Titans winger Grissing forced to concede a penalty and a 10 minute rest in the sin bin. From the penalty and the kick to touch Esher managed to get another driving maul going and On 62 minutes saw James Inglis go over to score, again Hallett failed to convert 29-10. Further changes in personal bought into action Esher's final replacement, Llyr Lane in at scrum half for Graham Barr.

On 66 minutes Cormack once again went over as Esher's pack took Rotherham to the cleaners with some power and determination, Hallett made an important conversion and Esher now only trailed by 12 points. The clock was counting down and Esher were in full flow. With two minutes on the clock Esher were in range once again. Rotherham were in disarray and again gave another penalty away, and this led to their replacement lock O'Connor being sent to the bin.

From the penalty a kick into touch saw another driving maul, the ball then appeared to be stolen only for it to be recovered. With the ball not coming out Esher were awarded an attacking scrum. With a man down and Esher now in overdrive, the Rotherham scrum could only come up as they were being driven quickly towards their try line. Referee Andrew Vertigan had enough and awarded Esher a penalty try. Hallett converted and Esher had fought back and secured two most valuable points from a game that many considered a lost cause.

Esher; Cormack - Goldsmith (Croall 40) - Smith (Alexander 48) - Harris (Barker 40) - Inglis - Butterworth (Blakeburn 36) - Starling - Mockford (Robson 46) - Barr (lane 63) - Hewitt (Clouston 51) - Flockhart - Henderson - Armitage - Moore -Hallett.

Esher scorers: Tries - Cormack 2 - Inglis - Pen Try. Cons Hallett 2.

Esher host Cornish Pirates on Saturday (3pm).