We have the Hunger

By MARK BENGOECHEA
MIKE SCHMID believes Esher’s squad have the ambition and hunger to take them into the Championship next season.
The Surrey side top the National One charts at Christmas with 13 wins from 14 games to remain five points clear of local rivals London Scottish.
And Director of Rugby Schmid admits he has been delighted with the response to the narrow defeat at Sedgley Park last month.
Esher hit back with crucial victories over fellow promotion contenders Cambridge and Launceston plus wins over Otley, Nuneaton and Blaydon.
Now Schmid is demanding his side keep focused as they look forward to clashes with Cinderford and Redruth before the crucial trip to London Scottish on January 16.
Esher’s home clash Wharfedale last weekend was called off due to a frozen pitch but Schmid said: “I’ve got to be happy with the way things have gone this season.
“It was disappointing to lose at Sedgley Park but the performances since then have improved vastly.
“We have worked hard in certain areas such as the break down and with our physicality and we are trying to play with pace.
“We are very determined to be the best in the league and we have got the bit between our teeth.
“We know that we are a target for everybody but equally we know what we have got to do to win games.
“We have got a talented bunch of lads with a fantastic team spirit, who are playing the type of game they want to play.
“But they know they are there to be shot at. London Scottish are not far away and there is a chasing pack who are going to keep pushing.
“We will not be getting complacent in any way because we know there are so many good teams in this league who will beat you if you are not on top of your game. It’s important that we just concentrate on our own performances.
“But we are in a good position. We’ve been boosted by a couple of players coming back from long-term injuries so we have a relatively healthy squad.
“Now we must make sure we show the same attitude going into the New Year and keep the pressure on the other teams.”