Mike Schmid has told his Esher players to keep their focus as they close in on a place in the promised land of the Championship.

The National One pacesetters roared to their eighth straight win in an eight-try 56-7 romp at Newbury last weekend.

It keeps them five points clear of local rivals London Scottish with a game in hand and 13 matches remaining.

Now Director of Rugby Schmid insists Esher cannot afford any slip-ups as they host fourth-placed Wharfedale at Molesey Road on Saturday.

He believes Wharfedale’s impressive 34-13 victory at Redruth on Saturday proves they are capable of springing a shock unless Esher are at the top of their game.

Schmid said: “Wharfedale have had three bonus-point wins on the trot and we know they will come to play. They have some dangerous players.

“We know they will test our defence a lot more than Newbury did and that is one area where I feel there is still room for improvement. We must be resilient in defence and try to out-work them.

“We know that if we don’t approach games in the right way then we will get beaten, as we did at Sedgley Park.

“That defeat was a bitter pill to swallow and it’s very much in the minds of those who played that day. They have never really forgiven themselves for letting themselves down.

“But the mindset of our players is first-class at the moment. They know how to prepare and they have approached every game with the right attitude.

“They are playing some smart rugby and it’s a pleasure to watch and I am exceptionally proud of the players.

“But the Championship is still a million miles away. There are still 13 games to go and we are not going to get too excited yet.

“It was complacency that cost us the game at Sedgley Park and that’s our own worst enemy. But we have responded well from that defeat.

“Our boys know the mental place that they need to be and they know that they must keep their focus and energy.

“We expect London Scottish to keep up the pressure and potentially they are capable of not losing another game this season.”

Centre Seb Jewell and prop Joe Marler both got try doubles in the crushing victory at Newbury that handed Esher a 16th win from 17 outings this season.

Garrick Cowley, skipper Dave Slemen, Shawn Renwick and Sam Ulph also went over while Ulph got a perfect eight from eight conversions.

The only downside was an injury to Marler that saw the England Under-20 star taken to hospital for precautionary checks after a blow to the head following a collision with Jack Bentall.

But Marler was quickly released and will be assessed by England medics before Friday’s clash with Wales Under-20s at Gloucester.

Schmid has no new injury worries and hopes Ross Chisholm, Jonny Hylton and James Inglis will all be available after knocks.