HARROGATE brought an end to a dismal run of five successive away defeats with a four tries to none success at Esher, who have never got the better of them in the league.

They bounced back in style after last week's hammering at runaway leaders Plymouth and the 24-12 victory restored their pride as well as clinching two vital points.

Harrogate, who had shuffled their pack for the game, started much the better and after five minutes a sparkling move saw the ball go through eight pairs of hands before debutant flanker Chris Horner got the touchdown.

Constant pressure was rewarded again ten minutes later when following a lineout drive the ball was moved wide for Paul Clayton, making his first start of the season, to outpace the defence and have time to run round behind the posts for Lee Cholewa to convert.

Esher began to claw their way back and a series of Harrogate infringements, a season-long failing, allowed Jon Gregory to kick three penalties before the break and another soon after - when Jeremy Marr got his second yellow card of the season - to level things.

With their ball retention much improved Harrogate kept the pressure on the home side for long periods and with 12 minutes left, centre Matt Duncombe, after squandering one chance, put them back in front with a try wide-out.

The last period was one of sustained Harrogate pressure, with good driving forward play keeping Esher penned inside their own 22.

In injury time the power-play had its reward when John Dudley took the ball at pace and crashed over under the posts for his eighth try of the season to make Cholewa's conversion a formality.

Coach Ralph Zoing, who had spent the week urging the squad to forget the Devon battering and pick itself up, got the compelling performance he wanted.

Updated: 11:40 Monday, November 26, 2001