Shelford Development Squad 42 Esher Academy 12

With 4 home games in the next 4 weeks and tough opposition expected for all of them, a win was crucial for keeping alive our ambition of a top 2 finish in the league.
 
The game started well for Shelford, with a number of promising breaks and attacks, although we are still guilty of holding onto the ball a little too long rather than giving the finishing pass. The first half was a close affair with Charlie Baker scoring two tries from high pressure defence and kick chasing, which forced Esher into making errors and allowed the Shelford 9 to capitalise and go to the top of the try scoring table. Andrew Wallace also crossed the white wash finishing off some strong work from the pack. Esher scored two tries of their own, moving the ball around well and prospering from some weak first up tackles. With the score 20-12 at half time it was closer than we would have liked.

The second half saw the Shelford pack really start to turn the screw, with the introduction of Anver Alexander and Miles Anderson in the front row. Wallace benefitted again from the work of the pack, scoring from a push over scrum. Some strong defence in the midfield from John Naylor and James Worthington and 17 points from the boot of Andy Daly, meant that the game was closed out effectively at 42 -12.
 
It was an excellent and disciplined second half performance and one we will have to build on if we are to secure second place next weekend at Home vs Readingensians in a double header. All support will really welcome for this crucial encounter at Davey Field, and for a few beers after as the team plan another social outing, providing the forms have been filled in and passes have been granted!
 
Another date for the diary will be Tuesday 2nd March where the development squad will take on Saffron Walden 1s in the County Cup quarter Final. It would be great to see another strong mid week support for this cup game as well.
 
If you have not seen already video highlights of the Engineers game and a match report can be found through the link below:
 
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdSW8RPRZSM

http://www.sapperrugby.com/