The 1st XV started their Champions Trophy cup campaign after a first week bye with a solid 31-12 victory over visitors Bristol Grammar School.
As last year’s semi-finalists, losing closely to Wellington College, Bristol were an outfit to be respected from the outset.
Epsom started strongly, resisting wave after wave of phase play from Bristol. Eventually, Epsom found themselves in the Bristol half twice, and both resulted in tries after powerful carries from Nilesh Raghavan (P) and Max Smeby (P) respectively. A third try came immediately from the resulting kick-off after Max Smeby’s try, with Max Hales (Fa) making an incisive run into the Bristol half.
The ball was moved quickly away from the breakdown, Thomas Wearne (G) the eventual beneficiary, going over for the try. Tom Lynagh (F) converted all three of these tries. To Bristol’s credit, they fought back to gain a try of their own close to the end of the first half to make it 21-7.
The second half saw both sides unable to capitalise on their chances, with a few errors creeping in as the game went on.
Bristol scored the first try of the half to make it 21-12. Epsom quickly responded as Lynagh picked up a fumbled Bristol pass, carrying well into the 22, offloading to Jamie Hughes (H) who was taken down at the 5-metre line. Harry Benton (P) then picked up and scored, with Lynagh again converting.
More strong defence from both sides saw Epsom opting to extend their lead with a penalty instead of kicking for the lineout, Lynagh again converting. These were the last points of the game as Epsom duly saw off any further Bristol attacks.
A mixed performance with plenty to be pleased with but even more to adjust going into Harrow as the last game of this half-term.
Tries: Raghavan (P), Smeby (P), Wearne (G), Benton (P)
Player of the Match: Max Hales (Fa)
WON 31-12
