National One: Esher's Collins feels consistency is vital

Esher’s Harrison Collins believes that if they are to continue their challenge towards the top of National One, they must stay focused and maintain their high level of performances.

Newly promoted Ampthil and District beat Esher at Molesey Road on the opening day of the season, but that defeat has been firmly put to the back of the minds of the Esher coaching staff and players.

Since then, Esher have lost just one of their last eight games – that coming against Hartpury College in Round Three of the season meaning they went the whole of October unbeaten.

The challenge now for Esher is to maintain that form up until Christmas, starting with Coventry at home this weekend, and Collins says consistency has been key since their defeat to Ampthill.

He said: It’s been a mixed season, after a somewhat lacklustre performance first game of the season at home vs. Ampthill.”

“We came back and had an impressive away win at Wharfedale. For me the away win at Plymouth has really set the tone for our away form for the rest of the season, which was followed up with a superb performance at Fylde.

“It's nice that we have won the last couple of games but everyone in the squad is more focussed on ensuring that we are consistent week in and week out, which is something we lacked last season.

“Having Tom Williams come into the club has really lifted the boys and working alongside Tom Cheeseman as player coaches is something that is working really well. Its showing in our performance and brand of rugby we are playing.”

And its that style of rugby which has propelled Esher into the top three alongside Hartpury and Blackheath.

National One is arguably one of the toughest to win promotion from in the English rugby pyramid with just once place up for grabs for entry into the Championship.

But, if Esher are to continue in the same vein of form for long spells this season, there is no reason why they can’t compete for the top places this campaign and Collins echoes this.

He added: “It's a tough league and as shown in the results, everyone can beat anyone on their day.

"I was impressed with Hartpury who have recruited well. Esher's main aim is to get back up the top end of the table and try and find some consistency in performances both home and away.

“The atmosphere in and around the club is really positive and this is something that we hope to build on. Esher has such a strong fan base and the players have really bought into spending time with all that come down to watch straight after the game.”

Collins signed a new contract with Esher in the summer after an impressive first season at the club. This came after spells at Tynedale and Fylde and the versatile back row is now enjoying life after to returning the south where he was born.

His aim is to stay at the club for the long term as it is the “perfect fit” for him, but he always finds times for his former clubs, in particular Fylde, who Esher played last time out.

“I only have positive things to say about Fylde, they really looked after me when I played there. They really do play rugby the right way. Even after the game, members of the club were asking me how it was going which is nice to see.

“I have been very fortunate because all the clubs I have played at thus far have great connections with their supporters. Tynedale is another example of a great club with a close relationship with the local community and I hope they bounce back because they are a real loss to National 1.”

Along with Esher v Coventry this Saturday, there is still all full programme of National One fixtures so here is a preview of the rest of the action.

Blackheath v Hartpury College

Game of the weekend and arguably game of the season so far sees league leaders Hartpury College travel to Blackheath. Whoever wins this fixture will make a real statement for the rest of the campaign considering they are the only two teams to have suffered just one defeat. Blackheath will go top with a win, but victory for the visitors could see them take a huge step towards promotion this early into the campaign.

Darlington Mowden Park v Richmond

Like Esher, Blackheath and Hartpury, Richmond are another side in a rich vein of form and their next assignment is in the North East and they face Darlington Mowden Park. Richmond are 4^th in the table and just a win behind Hartpury and they will be looking for their fourth straight victory against a Darlington side who are struggling at present.

DMP have won just twice this season and were thumped by Hartpury two weeks ago and know they will have to play at top gear if they are to get anything against Richmond.

Ampthill and District v Loughborough Students

Ampthill and District have made a solid start to their National One campaign after promotion via the National Two play-off last season. They take on 14^th place Loughborough Students at Dillingham Park this weekend. The students have suffered a long list of injuries so far this season and will face a tough trip to Milton Keynes as the A’s have lost just one of their last 20 matches at home.

Rosslyn Park v Wharfedale

One of the pre-season title favourites Rosslyn Park face Wharfedale this weekend and will be looking to build on their win against Coventry two weeks ago. It hasn’t been the season Park would have wanted so far, but they should have enough in their locker to beat Wharfedale who have won just twice this season.

Cinderford v Hull Ionians

Hull Ionians are away to Cinderford this weekend as they look to seal their fifth win of the season. They will be pleased with the start they have made after winning just twice throughout the whole of the campaign the last time they were in National One. Their hosts Cinderford have just one win to their name thus far and only just escaped the drop last season. They seem to be embroiled in another battle down at the wrong end of the table and the I’s will fancy their chances on Saturday.

Henley Hawks v Plymouth Albion

Plymouth Albion are eighth in table and they visit newly promoted Henley Hawks this weekend. Albion’s new squad looks like it is beginning to click after two straight wins before the break so they will be looking to exploit a Henley side that has conceded an average of 35 points a game this season. Henley have won three times this campaign and will be nervously starting to look over their shoulders if they suffer a defeat on Saturday.

Blaydon v Fylde

Fylde travel to Blaydon looking to get their results back on track after a defeat to Esher last time out. Fylde have been unlucky in some games this season, but have shown signs that they are slowly getting back to their best.

Blaydon are trying desperately to recover from an awful start to the season as they remain bottom of National One. They are only four points from safety and a win this weekend will give them an almighty boost if they are to avoid the drop this campaign.