DESPITE the final score against Esher not showing the dominance we were searching for, it is clear to me that we have moved forward in the last two games.

There were certain criteria I myself was marking our performance on and many of these were in fact very good.

Once again, our set-piece was commanding all afternoon, providing a perfect platform to attack from.

One thing we have realised this year is the Championship packs tend to be as physical as most Premiership sets of forwards.

Esher may not have been the strongest up front, however Saturday’s match, which we won 36-7, was a continuation of the good work our forwards are putting in.

Another area where we were good for the majority of the game was in defence.

We managed to achieve our goal of tackling low, as mentioned last week. As long as the tackle itself was made, the benefit of this was proven as Esher found it difficult to cross the advantage line.

I am excited about us improving with our press defence, if we can get it right it is a potent weapon and truly does turn defence into attack.

Lastly, I believe our flow in attack was also good. Joey Carlisle had a fantastic game and controlled our attack very well.

Without doubt we squandered several chances and the game should have been closed off by half-time — this issue itself is something we will get right by the play-offs.

However, ever the optimist, the fact that we can create these chances puts us in a much stronger position than years gone by.

Learning to be clinical is the next step and we must drive our standards for the full 80 minutes as, against better opposition, we must take every chance.

This weekend, we once again find ourselves in a similar position to when we travelled to Rotherham.

Doncaster perhaps should have been our first defeat this season, but a last-second penalty allowed us to sneak the win. They will no doubt feel robbed and we can expect a hugely fired up Knights outfit despite the freezing conditions.

Saturday’s game at Castle Park is about one thing, setting the record straight. As with Rotherham, we must leave there with no doubts as to who the better side is.

Doncaster have had a solid season and currently sit in fifth place. They themselves will be eager to get back on track after losing to our closest rivals, Bedford, 35-7.

Also, it’s an opportunity to get a psychological advantage in case we meet in the play-offs.

After this Saturday’s match, we call a break to the Championship schedule until we face Moseley on Boxing Day. We look to enter this period in the most commanding position possible and into the British and Irish Cup with confidence.

With most of the country blanketed in white, we — the Warriors players — find ourselves in a very fortunate position.

We are extremely lucky to have the amazing facilities we do and the indoor training centre at Sixways provides us with somewhere to practice regardless of the weather. I don’t think there are many other teams in the country — let alone the Championship — who can say the same.

For those who plan on braving the roads to Doncaster, I wish you a safe journey and I am confident the boys will deliver the goods on the pitch.