Esher v London Welsh - Match Preview
By Mark W-J
September 30 2010
At Esher on Friday night (kick-off 7-45pm) London Welsh will play their 500th match in league rugby. Since the first game in September 1987, when we beat Saracens 23-7 at Southgate, 461 players have worn the scarlet jersey against 71 different clubs. Esher are one of our newer opponents, becoming the 70th team to face Welsh in a league fixture when we met at Molesey Road on September 16th, 2007.
Despite
our well-documented struggles in the early years of league rugby, the current
season is the 15th (out of 24) that we’ve spent at level two of the
pyramid. Indeed, following the
disappearance of both Exeter and Coventry – in opposite directions - at the end of last
season, we currently have the longest unbroken run in this league of any of the
present members, although our 13 year stint is one year short of the record
spell at this level, held by Wakefield
(1990-2004). And again despite our early
labours, the 499 league games to-date have brought 263 victories to 224
defeats, with 1,385 tries scored in the process.
Of
the 461 players to have represented the club in the league, eight have made
over 100 league appearances, five of whom - Graeme Peacock (114), Chris Ritchie
(110), Matt Fitzgerald (104), Peter Shaw (102) and James Strong (100) – have
started on 100 occasions. At the
opposite end of the spectrum, 60 players have made just a single appearance, 17
of whom were replacements; 63 players have made the starting line-up on just
one occasion, while 37 have made all of their appearances from the bench. Top try-scorers are Andy Currier and Paul
Sampson (36 each), closely followed by Scott Roskell and Matt Vines (34 each),
while Craig Raymond, with 916 points, is far-and-away the top scorer in our
league history.
Our
first league game as the away team at Esher –
we’d used Molesey Road
for a home game against Tabard at the start of the 1994-95 season – was match
number 408, and it was the home side, newly promoted from National Two, who
emerged as 28-16 winners. The Welsh made
a sluggish start to the 2007-08 season, despite going on to attain their
highest league ranking for five years. We were by no means disgraced in opening
day defeat at Northampton, but a nervous home win over Newbury was followed by
a lacklustre display at our Surrey neighbours, for whom Saracens loanee Don
Barrell was in outstanding form. It
wasn’t until spring that Welsh really shook-off the lethargy, with only five of
our 15 victories being by a margin of 10 points or more – including the last
three fixtures of the season.
Some
18 months after that first meeting, Welsh condemned Esher
to relegation in what may well be termed ‘the great Championship
stitch-up’. With the RFU deciding
mid-season to cull four teams from National One, five clubs were relegated at
the end of the 2008-09 season, with Birmingham Solihull (as winner of National
Two ranked the 29th best club in England) being promoted at the
expense of Esher – statistically the 24th best club in the
country. Having won just three of their
opening 15 fixtures, they then turned-in a magnificent display at Sandy Park to
return with a 12-12 draw which sparked a run of nine wins from the next 11
fixtures. However, the poor start cost
them dear in the end, as they were beaten 32-21 by Welsh in their penultimate
fixture and were relegated, despite their 61 points being 27 more than 12th-placed
Sedgley Park yet only 21 shy of 7th-placed Cornish Pirates. We have, of course, staged two ‘home’
fixtures at Esher since then, beating Moseley 50-37 in a rearranged fixture to
close the 2008-09 season before last season’s incredible 16-15 win over Exeter in the play-offs.
The
record-breaking 2009-10 season began with a 148-0 win at Manchester, with former London Welsh
full-back Sam Ulph scoring 51 points, including three tries and 18 conversions. At one point last season he landed 36
consecutive kicks over the course of six matches, and he finished the season
with 399 points from 24 appearances as Esher
returned to the Championship with 28 wins from 29. The game at Cinderford was lost to the
weather and was not rearranged in mid-May as it had no impact on the final
standings – although it did rob Sam of the opportunity to break the record of
Fylde’s Steve Gough, who scored 404 points in the 1996-97 season.
This
season has seen Esher win more admirers, as they opened with victory at Moseley
and a home win over Bristol. The fixture list for Championship clubs seems
to run through a particularly harsh cycle, with clubs drawn to face Bristol, Bedford, Worcester, Nottingham and
London Welsh on consecutive weekends – so given that they are drawing to the
end of that run they must be pleased to have two wins in the bag already. Heavy defeats to Bedford,
Worcester and Nottingham
have made a serious impact on their points difference, but followers of both
the Blues and the Warriors were complimentary about the effort required of
their own players to finally kill-off the challenge of Mike Schmid’s team. A Friday night game is something of an
experiment, but it makes sense to try it first in a local derby. The two home games to date – admittedly
against the teams with the largest following in the Championship – have drawn a
combined total of nearly 4,200 spectators, with the reported 2,500 crowd for
Worcester’s visit being surpassed only once at ODP in the history of league
rugby.
Despite
the poor recent run, Esher remain in eighth place, ahead of Bristol by virtue of having won more
games. Following Friday night’s match
they travel to Birmingham Solihull next Sunday before entertaining Plymouth six days later,
and you can’t help but feel that after those two fixtures they will have a far
better idea of their true standing in this league. Former London Welshmen to watch out for
include Mike Whitehead, who has moved back after five successful years at Rotherham, centre Neil Taylor, whose time at ODP was
blighted by injury, prop Colm Hannon and hooker James Campbell. Other notable signings this year include
ex-Worcester, Leeds, Llanelli and Exeter
scrum-half Clive Stuart-Smith – once touted as ‘the next big thing’ in English
rugby – and former Gloucester & Leeds full-back Jon Goodridge.
Most
supporters would agree that it’s good to have a true local derby in the fixture
list, and while the fixture maybe lacks the history and therefore the ‘niggle’
of matches against, say, Bedford, it must be
hoped that Esher – who pride themselves on
being a ‘proper’ rugby club – can prosper at this level. Many non-travelling Exiles have made Molesey
Road their second home on alternate Saturdays in recent seasons, and much like
Exeter in the Premiership, they seem to have been adopted as many people’s
‘second club’. For our part, last
weekend’s display against Rotherham delivered what the supporters had believed
this squad to be capable of after a stuttering start to the league campaign,
but the mark of true contenders is to be able to perform to that standard
week-in, week-out. A local derby could
be just the test we need.
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Some stalwarts mentioned in Mark's article, especially those that played during the amateur era, and no great surprise that Currier and Roskell crop up in the records books from Clive Griffith's time in charge.
With the extended season and no space in the fixture list for 'friendlies' the next 500 league games are unlikely to take another 23 years.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:10:01:20:01:40 by Gorseinon Jack.
3-7
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2010:10:01:20:55:35 by Blackheath Welsh.
Esher 9-10 LW
Conv kick
16-10
Half time
Lorne on for his 100th league game
Cymru am byth!
What happened between the ref and assistants at FT? They looked a bit unhappy?
Apart from that, if the match had been five minutes longer, we would have won. But it wasn't so we didn't. Esher played the ref better (nice blocking at times) and we took too long to adapt to the conditions and the ref. (If Epi continues collecting yellows like he is, it will cost us dearly.)
I'm curious as to what the evening match prep is? Do we train at all under floodlights or in the evening? Must be a shock to the body to be asked to perform when it's usually rest time. I think Esher, being PT, train in the evenings so they would be more used to it. What does everyone think?
Did Esher have some "crystal ball" regarding the long range weather forecast - Rain and lights gave them a head start.
Indeed Esher did play the REF better than us - However he was really inconsistent. Esher appeared to be given as long as they wanted after an offense and he always seemed to go back to the original offense if the play broke down - for LW once he allowed advantage he never appeared to go back to the original if the move broke down.
Can someone tell me why the ref took a penalty given to Esher in the first in field ten meters from where the scrummaging offense happened. It allowed a kick more or less in front of the posts which they scored from.
In the play just prior to Esher's try they knocked on twice - Did the officials see that - NO.
Finally - You know you are not going to win - When as soon as the two backs replacements come on for LW we are awarded a penalty.Aled has replaced Ross who has been kicking well and almost Aled's first involvement is to take a penalty that would level the scores - He just misses the kick - Who would be a coach???
Lets get back to winning ways against Doncaster.
Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 2010:10:02:09:51:20 by Di Bark.
We lost the game in the first half, too many penalties, an unnecessary yellow card, a complete lack of an abrasive edge from the pack and conditions that didn't suit a fast running game.
Congratulations to Lorne Ward on his 100th league appearance. A week earlier than 'planned' but I'm sure we can mark the occasion properly next Saturday.
Completely agree with all of the other posts - indiscipline was our Achilles heel yet again, and as we've been saying since the summer, a squad packed full of Pacific Islanders and Sevens players is highly entertaining when the sun's shining and the pitches are firm, but in the cold, dark, wet mid-winter we've got to find a plan B. But well done Esher - they set out to nullify the threats posed by our backs when we did get moving and did so to great effect.
As for a groundshare? Having crossed the Thames three times each way last night it is quite literally a bridge too far!
As far as Esher's community involvement is concerned.
I think Esher could be just far enough away from Richmond - London Scottish - Harlequins and Rosslyn Park etc to make a difference when it comes to getting the local community involved. I live about 2 miles from the Esher ground and apart from the local free papers where they get a mention on a weekly basis and a large advert at the station which I understand for their opening four games costs nearly £6000
there is not a lot of visual local engagement -
It must be done all "undercover" so to speak.
I don't want to start a great debate again on this subject but I really think, until such times, as the professional side of the club move away from the ODP and the Richmond area - but NOT share with Esher - will crowds increase to the numbers we would all like to see through more community engagement than is going on at present.
The club is currently actively trying to involve the local community in one way or another - I can assure you there have been some old and new initiatives aimed at the local community this season in an effort to attract more people through the gate and I am sure this will continue-
I know it is happening because in a small way I am involved in some of the initiatives.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:10:02:15:51:41 by Di Bark.
Quote:adge1
hate the place
adje1
Don't go then. I doubt Esher need your money.
It is what makes the world go round - not certain whether it makes rugby better or not
why not add a bit more fuel to the fire regarding the Esher - London Welsh debate.
Guess who are in the BBC commentary team at the games a certain Mr John Inverdale and Mr John Taylor -
I wonder what they might talk about over their Bombay G+T's - I expect how the games are going and the accommodation is not as bad as we expected, the future of the BBC and perhaps also where the best place is to get a curry.
When that conversation is exhausted would it, could it, move on to - How about Esher Welsh or something similar or if that is a bit brave a London Welsh and Esher ground share - or is it all a MADRAS TO FAR!!!!!!!!!
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2010:10:03:18:19:33 by Di Bark.
Quote:Di Bark
On a rather wet Sunday afternoon just been watching the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth games and thought
why not add a bit more fuel to the fire regarding the Esher - London Welsh debate.
Guess who are in the BBC commentary team at the games a certain Mr John Inverdale and Mr John Taylor -
I wonder what they might talk about over their Bombay G+T's - I expect how the games are going and the accommodation is not as bad as we expected, the future of the BBC and perhaps also where the best place is to get a curry.
When that conversation is exhausted would it, could it, move on to - How about Esher Welsh or something similar or if that is a bit brave a London Welsh and Esher ground share - or is it all a MADRAS TO FAR!!!!!!!!!
So the rumour that we are moving into the Commonwealth Games stadium isn't true nor that it will be rebuilt on Kew Green if the RFU won't let us play our home games in Delhi?
Sure it is not Leon Taylor that you heard mentioned? He could advise Inverdale on how to add a diving pool to the PD Arena after all the rain this weekend. He's the only 'Taylor' listed in the BBC's commentary team.
Quote:Whinger HaterQuote:adge1
hate the place
adje1
Don't go then. I doubt Esher need your money.
That's extremely good advice and I shall take it - thank you very much
both clubs need improve the turnstiles or lack of them to get people into the ground quicker as standing in the rain waiting to pay will not encourage me to turn up on a wet match day
having said all that good luck to both team's for the ret of the season
JT is at the Commonwealth games doing his bit for the BBC on Rugby Sevens and Wrestling.
John Inverdale is listed as being part of the BBC commentary team at the Commonwealth games -
With the situation the BBC appears to be in perhaps they are not sure who is where - John Inverdale is also good at being in two places at once.
Latest "gossip" London Welsh did put a bid in to play at the Olympic Stadium along with Spurs and West Ham.
This was after the RFU turned down the application for us to play in the Commonwealth Stadium in Delhi - something about traveling costs and poor accommodation for visiting teams. They are however considering an application for Esher India RFC to play there or was it the East India Club RFC
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2010:10:04:21:30:17 by Di Bark.
A job share with JT?