Blackheath 27 Esher 23.

As tight as the final tally suggests, with only a brief five minute spell where more than a converted score separated the two sides.

Blackheath, though, never found themselves behind and fully merited a victory which stretches their unbeaten run to nine matches - indeed they have yet to lose a game in 2015.

Right-wing Ryan Squires, who missed nothing at goal all afternoon, and added a further 17 points to his season total, put Blackheath ahead with a third minute penalty, and although EEEs fly-half Ian Cross cancelled out for the visitors, outside-centre Markus Burcham's intercept in midfield set up the pressure from which debutant Club wing Jake Lloyd crossed in the left corner.

Esher responded immediately, with some neat handling sending scrum-half Robbie Shaw over, but more expansive play from the hosts saw Geoff Griffiths, who had a fine game at inside-centre against his former team, hold his line and off-load to Squires to cross and give Blackheath a 17-10 advantage at the break.

Two penalties from Cross (who also missed nothing at goal) brought Esher back within a point, and after Tom Carlisle's long pass enabled Burcham to slice through the defence for Blackheath's third try, the Surrey side again replied quickly, a charged-down kick seeing lock Peter Daly over.

But with skipper and second-row Tom Bason leading from the front and carrying ball into the opposition, allied to Carlisle's fine line-kicking from fly-half, the hosts continued to hold the ascendancy, and Squires' late penalty eased them home.

The victory keeps Blackheath in fourth place in National League One, which takes a break next weekend. The Club are back in action on 7th March when they make their first ever trip to Hartpury College near Gloucester.

Blackheath.

Tries: Lloyd, Squires, Burcham.

Conv: Squires 3.

Pens: Squires 2.

Esher.

Tries: Shaw, Daly.

Conv: Cross 2.

Pens: Cross 3.