Yet they had to do it the hard way against a pumped-up and talented home side battling relegation, and it was the Eees who made the first breakthrough when an Adam Bullett break in midfield ended with scrum-half Pierre Thompson touching down.

Sam Morley’s conversion attempt hit the left-hand upright, but Thompson moved his side further in front when sniping through a gap from 10 metres out.

Morley’s kick made it 12-0, but Rams – who had enjoyed the better of possession and territory while falling behind – hit back with a try conjured through two bits of individual magic.

Firstly James McRae fielded a kick just outside his own 22, the flanker then making a trademark break before shipping the ball out wide for Axel Kalling-Smith to superbly beat a defender and cross on the right.

Esher, though, hit back again as second row Josh Jordan peeled off the back of a maul for his side’s third try, Morley’s boot extending the lead to 19-5.

However, Rams cut the gap before the break, waves of pressure ending with Connor Stapley powering over from close range.

Drew Humberstone’s conversion ensured it was 19-12 at the end of a high-tempo first half, but Thompson blotted his copy book by receiving a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on following a fabulous Henry Bird break.

The visitors continued to turn the screw, and after having a maul held up over the line, they levelled matters when Humberstone smashed his way over before converting.

And Rams hit the front as the season entered its final quarter, some good handling setting-up Zach Clow to somehow find his way over on the left having evaded a couple of would-be defenders.

A sensational touchline nudge from Humberstone made it 26-19, before the visitors scored the try of the day to give themselves breathing space.

It came from the half-way line, where Grundy’s delightful chip was collected by Bird, the full-back racing forwards before freeing Ollie Monye to swan dive under the posts.

There was no mistake from Humberstone, and while Esher fought to the very last – having a maul of their own held up across the whitewash – they could not breach the Rams line as the visitors ensured Cambridge must win their final game of the season, at home to Birmingham Moseley next Saturday, with a bonus-point, to snatch what has been a thrilling championship.