Wharfedale 24 Esher 38: Wharfedale test champions

And again they were given one of their toughest tests of the season.

The previous encounter had finished 36-all. This time, Wharfedale were always marginally second-best but, to the delight of the home faithful, they clinched a thoroughly deserved bonus point with a splendid try in the final action of the match.

It was high-tempo stuff from the outset, both sides having early chances, but it was Esher who showed the clinical finish with tries by centre Seb Jewell and lively scrum-half Garrick Cowley, the latter converted by Jewell fora 14-0 lead inside the ifrst 15 minutes.

Flanker Dan Solomi pulled one back for the Greens, burrowing his way to the line from the side of a ruck.

Cowley grabbed his second try, which was converted, but centre Chris Malherbe had the last say of the half for the home side when he was put through to the right corner by winger James Tincknell, to leave the game reasonably balanced at 19-10 to the visitors.

The second half was fast, furious and end-to-end, each side enjoying solid periods of pressure.

Jewell cut through a stretched defence but Tincknell regenerated Wharfedale hopes with a converted try of his own.

A flurry of late tries saw substitute half-back Andrew Garner and winger Thomas Loizides cross for Esher, with Tincknell claiming Wharfedale's bonus try, touching down after an audacious chip and catch break by centre Andy Hodgson.