Students edge it in 11-try thriller

LOUGHBOROUGH powered to a vital home victory over Esher to lift the struggling students above Rosslyn Park.

The visitors drew first blood as Thomas Trotter touched down in the 11th minute – Stephen Boatman converting to add to his earlier penalty.

But Jack Moates responded just four minutes later, with Owen Waters also adding to his earlier penalty as the scores were levelled.

Another Waters penalty put the Students ahead, before Jack Stapley further improved their lead with a try that the fly-half converted.

Thomas James once again cut the Students lead as he crossed before the half hour mark – Boatman converting – and when Ben Loader went over five minutes later, Esher were ahead.

Cameron Zeiss crossed on the stroke of half time to give the visitors a 31-20 lead at the whistle.

But a penalty try on 46 minutes and a Luke Frost score just shy of the hour mark – Waters converting – soon had the home side ahead.

Ben Betts then made it two converted scores in three minutes and another Waters penalty put the Students 42-31 ahead with eight minutes to play.

Devlin Hope and George Davis exchanged scores in the closing minutes as Loughborough held on for the win.