Esher secured their return to the second tier of English rugby on Saturday with a 31-12 win over Blaydon.

London Scottish's 59-22 loss to Tyndale secured Esher's National One title with five games to spare.

Coach Mike Schmid was delighted with promotion: "I think we felt an injustice. We played good rugby.

"This group wanted to come back and show everyone they deserved to be a championship side and I can't thank them enough."

Esher were relegated 12 months ago after the Rugby Football Union announced a league re-structure mid-season.

Captain Dave Slemen is already looking ahead to the next season after a focussed campaign.

"We had cause and managed to keep squad together and bounced straight back up and that's fantastic," he said.

"It's a real help and we can't wait to get back up there."

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