It's always a long journey to London, no matter what mode of transport used, but it is even longer when the team bus breaks down on the return journey, heralding the wait for a replacement.

That said, the bus company Compass Royston are to be complemented on their prompt action in replacing the bus within 45 minutes.

Earlier, the rugby at the Molesey Road HQ was very competitive, with no quarter asked or given.

The loss of flanker Will MACAULAY after only five minutes of his introduction as a replacement in the 53rd minute of the game, interrupted the flow of the game and DMPRFC, although in the game for the majority of proceedings, missed his experience when he too was replaced.

Things had started very well for the visitors when they leapt out of the blocks, with an early opportunity for three points. Even though it was not successful, a marker had been layed down and it was game on.

DMPRFC winger Chris McTURK scored the first points of the game, as both teams jockeyed for superiority at the set pieces.

DMPRFC performed well at both the scrummage and the lineout.

Esher RFC appeared to have searing pace on the wings and it was a necessity to keep these two players subdued whenever possible.

Esher RFC replied with a penalty, when the visitors strayed offside, but DMPRFC looked comfortable and good value for the opening lead.

Esher did respond and during one such foray just outside the visitor's 22-metre line, DMPRFC were caught offside in midfield and the resulting penalty was successful (3 - 5).

Further pressure from Esher was rewarded with a try in the corner, which was converted (10 - 5).

On 35 minutes, DMPRFC full back Henry ROBINSON squeezed over in the corner (10 - 10) to level proceedings and the conversion by fly half Garry LAW took them into a slender lead at oranges (10 - 12),

As in close games such as this, the team to score first after the interval, invariably goes on to win the game and therefore this was important to achieve for both sides.

It was Esher who took the initiative, bizarrely against the run of play.

DMPRFC were on the attack and looking to make something of plenty of possession, but an innocuous mistake, probably set the tone for what was to follow.

A DMRFC player took his eye off the ball during an attack around the opposition 22-metre line, knocking the ball forward. With the referee playing advantage, the Esher left winger gathered and set off on a powerful run, for a try from fully 60 yards, beating several defenders en route (15 - 12).

The try sparked off a touchline scuffle, which was uncharacteristic of the game in general and which was quickly brought under control, with no further sanctions necessary other than a stern word from the official, after consultation with one of his assistants.

With the conversion successful from under the posts, from the restart, DMPRFC were still in a state of flux at the counter attack and this resulted in another simple catch also being knocked forward by the same DMPRFC defender, with an Esher try being the result, before another minute had elapsed (22 - 12).

The game was then stopped, whilst DMPRFC replacement flanker Will MACAULAY was given medical attention, which included gas and air, before leaving the field after less than 5 minutes after his introduction to the game, with what looked like a serious knee injury.

From the restart, DMPRFC attacked with purpose and when Garry LAW charged down an Esher defender's kick out of his 22-metre area, he chased it up, gathered and dotted down for the try (22 - 17). The fly half gathered his composure to add the 2 conversion points (22 - 19) and at this time, it looked as if the visitor's were about to overhaul their hosts and start to add more points from their plethora of possession.

Wave after wave of pick and drives five metres from the home line culminated in a player being held up over the line. The resulting 5-metre scrum was set and with the ball won, a pushover seemed inevitable. The defence managed to get away with wheeling the scrum and some indecision at the back of the DMPRFC scrum, allowed the Esher scrum half to pick up the ball and instigate a break out that was on as soon as he made the first pass.

Esher rushed forward and despite the desperate defence, the try was a formality from their full back (27 - 19).

A further Esher try rubbed salt into the wound in the last 10 minutes (32 - 19), as DMPRFC pondered the return journey home with nothing to show from a game in which they dominated possession, but failed to turn it into points on the board.

To add insult to injury, the coach broke down on the journey, which just about summed up the very long day.

Overall, all credit to Esher RFC, they capitalised on the DMPRFC errors, had great pace and power in their backs, together with a hard working set of forwards and ultimately did a good job, running out creditable winners.

It must be said that Esher RFC were fine hosts and DMPRFC look forward to the return fixture back at the Arena next year.