The Rugby Paper asked their reporters to nominate their 'Dream Team' from last season's National One.
MIKE SCHMID’S Esher stormed into the Championship at the first attempt and it’s no surprise his side make-up the backbone of our dream team.
From rookie Harlequins tighthead Joe Marler to Sam Ulph at full-back – the Molesey Road outfit blazed a trail from the first week.
Four players have made our final XV – and some correspondents wanted more, but with the likes of Wharfedale’s James Tincknell and Blaydon’s James Fitzgerald earning moves to Leeds and Newcastle they couldn’t be overlooked.
Cambridge flyer Handre Schmidt was an overwhelming choice on the right wing with Launceston’s Tony Yapp picking up the majority of votes at fly-half.
Former England Sevens star Simon Amor might not feature much next term after taking on the coaching role with London Scottish and they are going to be big boots to fill.
In the pack, Marler and Tynedale’s Joe Graham were shoo-ins with our reporters but the rest were close to call.
Newbury’s Chris Rowland and Otley veteran Howard Parr have earned their places for their outstanding efforts in struggling teams.
1 – Joe Marler – Esher
The Harlequins loosehead was a fantastic acquisition by Schmid and has been tipped for a bright future.
One of the new breed of props – hard, aggressive, quick and decisive – he was just like having another openside at times.
Starring for England U20s in Argentina at the moment and has been named as one of Quins senior props for next season.
2 – Joe Graham – Tynedale
The standout hooker for many with his pace and power key to the Tynedale pack. Had a fantastic season and his good hands and accurate distribution caught the eye of several of our reporters.
3 – Chris Rowland – Newbury
Put his body on the line time and time again for a relegated side until injuries eventually wore him down.
Always combative and his performances throughout the year have been rewarded – he will play for Esher in the Championship next season after catching the eye of Schmid.
4 – Howard Parr – Otley
The Otley veteran took one of the lock positions after several nominations from reporters up and down the country.
Described as ‘heroic’ by some the 37-year-old was an inspirational leader and others seemed to follow his lead as his side avoided a second successive drop by the skin of their teeth.
5 – Tom Bason – Blackheath
Esher’s Rob Anderson had plenty of suitors but Bason just pips him for the second lock position. An influential player who gets through a ton of work in the engine room, his work-rate gave him the edge.
6 – Dan Solomi – Wharfedale
Maybe a better as an openside, but Solomi received so many votes we couldn’t leave him out. Got all the skills but is as tough as teak and if there’s any action he tends to be involved in it all.
7 – Dave Allen –
Blackheath
The Blackheath openside gets the nod from wise old-head Darren Fox at Cambridge. His powerful running helped him bag a whopping 17 tries and Blackheath wouldn’t be the same team without him.
8 – Shawn Renwick – Esher
Another key performer in the Esher set-up and pips Redruth’s Mark Bright for the No. 8 shirt. Plenty of power and vision and another forward who knows where the try line, crossing 19 times during the season.
9 – Simon Amor – London Scottish
A key cog in the wheel of Scottish’s back play. Always keeps it moving and quick to spot chances – has now stepped up to become head coach but could still be a key man on the pitch as well.
10 – Tony Yapp – Launceston
An overwhelming choice from our correspondents and a key factor in Launceston’s surge into third place.
The experienced fly-half scored 274 points, mostly with the boot, and he will be a big miss next term after he was lured away by National Two South new-boys Taunton.
11 – James Tincknell – Wharfedale
The 21-year-old has been rewarded for a stunning season in helping Wharferdale to sixth with a move to Leeds Carnegie.
The powerhouse winger, who is just at home in the centre, scored 15 tries in 19 appearances to catch the eye of Neil Back’s coaching staff as they beat off competition for his signature from several other top-flight clubs.
12 – Seb Jewell – Esher
The former Harlequins youngster was a class above in National One and his slippery movement caused chaos to opposition defences.
The 22-year-old bagged 23 tries and he will only get better next term after agreeing a dual registration deal with London Wasps that will see him train full-time with Tony Hanks’ men. It’s a credit to the form of Tynedale’s Jack Harrison that Jewell just edged him out.
13 – James Fitzpatrick – Blaydon
In 2008-09 he was helping Westoe to promotion from North One, and in one season with Blaydon it was his week in, week out, fiery performances that took the Crow Trees outfit to a highest ever league finish.
Opposition defences had little answer to the trademark bulldozing runs that brought him 13 tries. He has now moved up again and next season will be with Newcastle Falcons.
14 – Handre Schmidt – Cambridge
The South African flyer filled the boots of Luke Fielden with aplomb and will hope to make the exact same transition at Bedford. Fielden’s departure to the Blues - he has since moved onto Newcastle Falcons - left Cambridge with a huge gap on the right wing but Schmidt was up to the task.
He bagged 30 tries to finish as the leading try scorer in the league.
15 – Sam Ulph – Esher
The points machine for Mike Schmid’s men as Esher marched into the Championship. Deadly with the boot but equally devastating as a broken-field runner and helped himself to 399 points during the campaign. Will relish the step up to the Championship.