Slemen led the Surrey side to safety in 2010/2011

Esher skipper Dave Slemen believes they should be targeting the top half of the Championship table this season.

The Surrey side had to endure the end-of-season relegation play-offs in their first season back in the second tier after finishing ninth.

Slemen told BBC Surrey: "Eighth is always the point you are aiming for but I think aim for fifth or sixth.

"Top four is unrealistic. But certainly we can aim just below that and have a really good season."

Esher finished above Plymouth Albion, Moseley and relegated Birmingham & Solihull this summer, and Slemen expects better this season.

Finishing above Plymouth who were a full-time side, was a great achievement Esher captain Dave Slemen

"I think if you look at the likes of Rotherham and Doncaster who finished sixth and seventh," he said. "If we can aim to finish above them, we will definitely be eighth or higher."

Esher enjoyed one season in the old Championship before its reformation saw them relegated as one of five teams.

Slemen admits the leaner second level of English rugby was as hard as they expected: "It was a massive step up from two seasons before when we were in it last. It really is chalk and cheese going from 16 to 12.

"We obviously took a bit of confidence going up winning so well the year before, but it was also a real learning curve.

"Finishing ninth, above Plymouth who were a full-time side, was a great achievement. We weren't overly consistent, we did have some poor results as well.

"But it does prove the strength of the league. If you don't perform at your best, you're going to lose. Equally, if you do and perform as well as you can then you've got every chance of winning, which is nice."

Esher begin their Championship campaign away to Plymouth Albion on 3 September.

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