1/5/2008

Sport

RUGBY: Esher beaten by Molesey revival

Moseley                                             50      
Esher                                                   14

Esher were beaten convincingly by Moseley in a second-half revival that saw the visitors playing up-field and into the wind.

Esher went in ahead at the break, leading 14-12 but were unable to add to their scoreline when play resumed.

Esher are safe from relegation, having managed to win 10 games this season and will look forward to doing even better next season.

MIKE SCHMID is set to tie up a new deal with Harlequins this week as he plans for a second campaign in National One.

The Esher director of rugby has been in talks with Quins chief Dean Richards to use some of the Premiership side’s promising youngsters.

The likes of wing Charlie Amesbury and lock George Robson have made a big impact on loan at Molesey Road this season.

Both players have also played in the Quins first team recently and Schmid believes the system benefits both clubs.

He said: “We’ve had a great relationship with Quins and I’ll be meeting Dean again this week to tie up a few loose ends.

“But it has worked very well this season and I know Dean’s been pleased as well.

“We are talking with London Irish and Saracens but obviously there’s a limit to how many you want on loan.”

Schmid is also in discussions with several other players as he aims to build on a promising first season in National One.

Esher finished an impressive 12th, despite losing their last four games, including Saturday’s final-day 50-14 defeat at Moseley.

Schmid said: “Overall, I’m very happy with the season, despite the disappointing end.

“As the season goes on, the professional sides benefit more and more from having full-time players. They are obviously fitter and stronger and we just haven’t the strength in depth to be able to rotate our players enough.

“I am trying to bring in a bit more quality over the next couple of weeks so we can keep the guys fresher.

“We have a good core of players but we need to add some strength and power up front to be able to cope with the physicality of other sides.

“It’s tough because our players are part-time and for them to be playing 35-odd games a season at this level is too much. It’s mental fatigue more than anything.

“But to have stayed up and not be involved in a relegation battle in the closing weeks was a tremendous effort.”

Schmid hopes to finalise his squad in the next fortnight but is losing the services of wing Matt Moore. The former Sale and Harlequins flier, 32, is moving to the United States to train as a commercial airline pilot.

Schmid said: “Matt’s been brilliant for us over the years and his tries in National Two were one of the main reasons we got promoted.

“He has played virtually every game for us since I got here and we wish him all the best.”

First printed in: News & Mail Series