The Green and Whites face Exeter Chiefs in the National Trophy semi-final, hoping to fare better than they did last time they reached the final four.

Two years ago they lost out against Harlequins at this stage.

"The difference between now and then was that we never really believed we could beat Harlequins," Hammond said.

"This week we feel that we have got a good opportunity of winning and going to Twickenham. Although it's an away tie it's probably the biggest game that we have played for many years."

Nottingham are currently third in National One, just one place behind Exeter.

The Trophy has given us a focus, it's something that we can win Craig Hammond

And although Exeter beat Nottingham in the league fixture at Sandy Park earlier in the season Hammond says they are in confident mood.

"It's a hard draw because Exeter, a bit like ourselves, don't lose many games at home," he said.

"But we gave them a hard game at Sandy Park earlier in the season so we will take encouragement from that.

"If you had said to me at the start of the season that we would be sitting third of the table and in the semi-final of the Trophy, I would have taken that.

"We are still a part-time squad in a division where a lot of the sides are full time. The key is that we have kept most of the squad together for three or four years.

"When the squad came together a lot of the players were about 22 but we knew that if we could keep them together we would have a good side.

"We finished ninth last year and we are third at the moment. But in a way it doesn't make too much difference because in this league unless you are top you will not go up.

"The Trophy has given us a focus, it's something that we can win and we know that if we perform well at Exeter in front of a big crowd then we can go and play at Twickenham which would be a great day out for our supporters."

Exeter were beaten by Cornish Pirates in last year's National Trophy showpiece.