The level of disappointment on Coventry faces was very evident to see at the end of a messy mistake ridden encounter at Molesey Road.

Coventry’s first ever visit to the Surrey ground most certainly did not end with a happy conclusion, far from it, yet it could and almost certainly should have been a whole lot better to help celebrate Kurt Johnson’s 200th senior appearance for the club.

On the back of three straight wins, confidence clearly was high, but whatever expectations and hopes there were had beforehand were not transposed into what turned out to be a bitterly disappointing performance. And all that against a side adapting to the Division with just two wins under their belt.

Having cut down on the number of errors and penalties conceded over recent matches, the Blue and Whites playing in their Red change kit slipped back badly in this match. A penalty count of 14-7 against, with two yellow cards being incurred at a vital stage in the second half does tell a pretty emphatic story and ultimately contributed in a major way to the defeat.

Overall the match in terms of quality did not rate highly, proceedings not being improved by the number of injury and other assorted stoppages, ten minutes extra in the first half and eight in the second.

Yet at half time, without really looking that convincing, Cov appeared to have enough in hand leading by 12pts –5. Esher had slipped in front after just four minutes, a penalty kick to touch setting up a line out from which a prolonged, in terms of time, catch and drive finally saw hooker Campbell come up with the ball, Baumberg missing the conversion.

Coventry were soon level however, for within four minutes acting captain Laurie McGlone crossed for his third try in as many matches, again from a catch and drive, Myles Dorrian slicing his conversion wide. There it remained until the lengthy first half injury time, although Baumberg and Dorrian both missed penalty attempts from easy positions, Campbell the Esher hooker being yellow carded for handling in the ruck. On 21 minutes though, Esher probably should have scored, winger Moore knocking on his own chip ahead, before both Ben Toft after a long run into Esher territory and Jack Cobden were both held up.

On 38 minutes, Logon Kirisome on Cov’s left was also close, before seven minutes into added on time, from a scrum near the Esher "22", Laurie McGlone with a pick up and clever flicked reverse pass sent Darren Clayton steaming through the gap which had opened up for the second try, Dorrian converting.

At 12-5 it looked a position from which to build ultimate victory, but sadly, no. Early visiting pressure twice brought no reward and from there on in, Coventry  were never a true attacking force again. With the forwards not really dominating and attacks being set up from far too deep, frustration crept in more and more and visibly the Esher confidence grew. Replacement Damant slotted an easy penalty on 58 minutes to cut the margin to two points and with Cov continuing to struggle to put meaningful passages together, both Gregor Gillanders and replacement Hendry Rheeders were yellow carded within the space of four minutes in the final quarter. From the first infringement, Damant missed a pretty straight forward penalty, but after the second yellow, referee Kitt decided Coventry had infringed again awarding Esher a penalty try which Damant converted for 15-12.

Desperately Coventry tried to pull something out in the time added on, but to no avail. Esher were clearly delighted with their second win on the trot, Coventry being left to ponder what really might and should have been. It was all so desperately disappointing, with just a bonus point for losing by less than seven.

Coventry. Ben Toft, Kurt Johnson, Jack Cobden, Donovan Sanders, Logon Kirisome, Myles Dorrian, Tom Slater, Carl Rimmer, Chris Whitehead, Rudi Brits, Gregor Gillanders, Ollie Hodge, Jamie Miller, Darren Clayton, Laurie McGlone (Capt).

Replacements; Stuart Friswell, Dai Maddocks, Danny Hodge, Ian Nimmo, Mike Walls, Lee Parry, Hendry Rheeders.

Coventry. Tries Laurie McGlone, Darren Clayton.

Conversion Myles Dorrian

Esher. Tries James Campbell, Penalty Try.

Conversion Rory Damant. Penalty goal Damant.