By David Haigh

Canterbury gave title hopefuls Esher a thorough Easter test before conceding two late tries in a 33-11 National League 2 South defeat.

The scoreline probably flattered the visitors but here was a side that turned their chances into points while Canterbury, despite rattling the league leaders with their commitment and physicality, failed to make the most of theirs.

The city side's first-half effort was among the best of the season as they handled Esher's kicking game with ease, created pressure with some no-nonsense rugby and took a six-point lead through two Kyan Braithwaite penalty goals. Adding tries to those points, however, eluded them and despite all the good work they found themselves behind at half-time.

Esher scored twice in the final three minutes with Myles Rawstron-Rudd intercepting in Canterbury's 22 and Jack Lavin finding a gap after Danny Herriott had been yellow-carded for pulling down a maul. Sam Morley added the first of his four conversions.

A promising start to the second half again came to nothing for Canterbury but Esher approached their slightly uneasy situation with more determined forward power. That earned a 56th-minute try for prop Theo Skoumbourdis, but they could make no further impression and as the game reached the last quarter it was Canterbury who found a way to the line.

A driving maul and a cut-out pass sent Tristan King in at the corner to test Esher's nerves. They settled them, but left it late with the bonus-point try coming from Charlie Crawley in the 73rd minute with a powerful driving maul. It was also enough to secure the win and in the last act of the game an individual breakaway score came from Phil Cokanasinga, a luxury replacement who usually plies his trade with Premiership London Irish.

Canterbury visit Guernsey on Saturday for their final away game of the season.

Canterbury: Moss, Hilton, Sterling, Braithwaite, Morgan, Reynolds, B Cooper, A Cooper, Young, Herriott, J De Vries, Stephens, Evans, Waddington, Oliver. Replacements: Best, Lusher, Churchyard, Heads, King.