LONDON CHAMPIONS
All the league winners from London and the South-East
and No 8 Michael Hollister was part of a dominant pack who fed fast backs.
heRTs- miDDleseX TWo BANK OF ENGLAND
Captain Chris Palmer
Coaches Simon Devis (head), Tom Merriman (player-assistant)
Bank were rewarded for an increased commitment to training. Back-row Toby Walker was Player of the year and wing Dan Farr got 21 tries. No 8 Harvey Brewin and centre Steve Elderton also shone for a team led by forwards Si Armitage and jonny Dale when Palmer was injured.
KenT one HASTINGS & BEXHILL
Captain jimmy Adams
Coaches Chris Brooks (lead),
Kit Claughton (backs)
Having moved from the Sussex leagues in search of stronger opposition, H& B feel they are well prepared for a return to regional rugby. lock Adams has been at the club for 21 years, since the age of 11, having started as a full-back. Wing Tim Sills scored 27 tries as coaches encouraged a structured, patient style, strong in defence with an eye for attack.
KenT TWo OLD GRAVESENDIANS
Captain Frazer Barnes
Coach Andy Miller
Miller took over a relegated side and improved their technique, team play and fitness. Many of their 1,000-plus points were amassed in the last quarter of matches and 27 of their 35 players scored at least one try. Their impressive season included a team record 116-7 win over Bexley. Matt Thompson tallied 333 points, while james Hood and Matt Wilson scored 34 and 20 tries apiece.
esseX pRemieR BRAINTREE
Captain john Smillie
Coaches Brian joslin (head), Gary Coote (assistant), jamie Clark, Nigel Brand (both player)
Tight defensively and with a quick, wide game, Braintree won all 20 matches to finish 16 points ahead of Canvey Island. It was their first title for eight years. Wing james Abbott (21) and No 8 Smillie ( 19) were among the tries and fly-half/ centre Craig Willis scored 315 points. josh Hine was fantastic in defence.
esseX shielD WRITTLE WANDERERS
Captain Tom Fleming
Coaches Dom Pearce (DoR), jon King, Tim Sawyer Chelmsford-based Wanderers built this triumph on an ability to move the ball wide and their youth policy, which included fielding five players who were 17. Wing jack Pearce topped the tries and full-back Rob Ketley scored most points for a club that bridged a five-year gap since their previous league title.
suRReY one OLD EMANUEL
Captain jamie Clarke
Coaches Fergus McCarthy (DoR), Paul Wilson
Key players returning from higher divisions helped this well-coached outfit to a second promotion in three years. Centre Harry Whiteley and his brother Charlie at full-back scored 128 and 99 points apiece while their younger sibling Tom was making a name for himself at Saracens. Pat lufkin shone in midfield.
suRReY TWo OLD BLUES
Captain Steve Newmark
Coach Buster White
Old Blues picked up momentum before Christmas and belief soared. They knew how to grab results in tight games, wing Toto Odulaja scoring last-minute winning tries on four occasions to secure Player of the year honours. Centre Alex Marsh was top try-scorer, and some new and returning players boosted the options for former Wasps flanker White.
suRReY ThRee OLD HAILEYBURIANS
Captain Rob Petherick
Coaches Matt Craig (DoR), Steve Wood The old boys took the title with the same squad that won Surrey Four a year ago, with full-back Peter Clarke top scorer. They had to wait three weeks to discover that they would go up as champions as Metropolitan Police v Reeds Weybridge was postponed. Reeds lost but secured a bonus point to clinch their promotion.
suRReY fouR HORLEY
Captain Mark Watson Coach Neil Robson Horley believe in keeping it in the family as their side regularly includes three sets of siblings – full-back Watson and brother Andy, Zak and jake Richardson, and joe and jack Pellen. Centre jack was leading point-scorer and scrum-half jordan Hollis ran in most tries. Horley were formed in 2008, won two Sussex leagues in quick succession and then switched to Surrey three years ago.
easTeRn counTies one THETFORD
Captains Chris Thomas, Aaron Stokoe Coaches Nigel Brown (head), Will Martin (assistant-player) Thetford averaged almost 50 points a game but also put a focus on defence. Their mentality of ‘we go forward with or without the ball’ exploited the skills of a mobile pack and powerful set-piece. Full-back/fly-half Martin piled up 437 points in all competitions, including 45 tries, while josh Clark (32) and Ryan Gardiner (25) were also prolific.
easTeRn counTies TWo ( n) FAKENHAM
Captain Adam lingwood
Coaches Alan young (DoR), Mike Curry Most of the squad were in the u21 age group but senior player Paul Richardson was an integral member. So, too, was head groundsman Mark Allen for a pitch in “incredible condition” in the words of No 8 and fixture sec Howard Kellock. young also won kudos for the time and effort put in. George Ready ran in 17 tries and Tom Bane-young got most points.
easTeRn counTies TWo ( s) MERSEA ISLAND
Captain Andrew Cautheray
Coaches Andrew Windridge (head), Paul le Marquand, Spencer Priestley After dropping a league for geographical reasons, the islanders took their first title in nine seasons and also won the Suffolk Plate. Their average travel distance in Eastern Counties One would
have been 173 miles as most of the teams were in North Norfolk. Centre Graham Atkinson scored 43 tries.
COTTENHAM RENEGADES
Captain Tom Powell
Coach Rolando Pesci Renegades won the Smallest Rugby Club World Cup in 2015 and haven’t looked back. They played in friendlies from 2003- 09, having been a spin-off from St Ives. Their headquarters are at Cottenham Village College and four pairs of brothers play for the club. Rob Catchpole (26 tries) and Andrew Mackay (219 points) top-scored.
EASTERN COUNTIES THREE ( N) DISS III
Captain Benny Goodman
Coaches Will Foote (player-forwards), Seb Goodge (player-backs-fi tness) No fewer than 11 players in the 35-plus age group helped the third team to lift the title. Foote, 49, was the most senior, followed by Paul Cayley and Owen Atkinson, both 46. Centre Goodman, 41, has been captain for eight seasons.
They conceded only 11 tries and 83 points in winning 19 of 20 matches. The top try-scorer was No 8 John Alexander ( 17) and Naz Girgin compiled 124 points.
EASTERN COUNTIES THREE ( S) THURSTON II
Captain Clive Vooght
Coaches Mark Jones, Jono Farmer Hooker Vooght described Thurston’s first league title in their 44-year history as “a rags to riches story”. Three years ago, the second team could fulfil only eight fi xtures but they now have a squad of 25-plus players. Fly-half Kieran Cusker was top scorer. They are also known as the ‘Fox Hunting XV’ because they wear tweeds on social occasions.
EASTERN COUNTIES THREE ( W) MARCH BEARS
Captain Simon Althoff
Coach Tracey Baxter
The addition of fi ve new forwards added some ‘grunt’ to the Bears’ ball-winning and offl oading qualities – and this was their first league title in 25 years. Next season they celebrate their 50th anniversary, only two years after being down to 12 regular players. That’s all changed, with lock Althoff and senior members bringing back camaraderie. Stewart Rigby ( 19) was top try-scorer.
EASTERN COUNTIES FOUR ( N) THETFORD HEATHENS
Captains Adam Brown, Danny Goodman, Cory Lewis, Thomas Price Coaches Nigel Brown (head), Will Martin The second XV completed a title double for the club with a mix of experience, youth and United States Airmen new to the game. Their style mirrored that of the first team, with a strong set-piece and fast-paced running game. Fly-half Josh Sharp, 17, was the leading scorer.
EASTERN COUNTIES FOUR ( S) HADLEIGH II
Captain Ben Romer-Lee
Coach None
The fun element was high on the agenda under forward Romer-Lee, whose son Arthur played scrum-half. In one match they fi elded fi ve father-and-sons. Nurturing youngsters was a priority but flanker Colin Redmore impressed in his final season and was a heavy try-scorer.
HAMPSHIRE ONE PETERSFIELD
Captain Dan Luff
Coaches James Alder (head), Andy Patience (fwds), Charles Hoff (backs) After narrowly avoiding relegation last year, Petersfi eld exceeded expectations under new coach Alder. Goalkicking wing Joshh Haslett was a rich source of points and flanker Toby Sydenham was inspirational. Tom Franks was among the outstanding backs behind a lightweight pack that still pushed back bigger rivals.
HAMPSHIRE TWO ALRESFORD
Captain Sam Batho
Coaches Kane Price, Scott Cleave ( joint) The foundations for Alresford’s success were in their move to new premises in town. They have been able to keep and attract players with their improved facilities and believe they are the friendliest club in Hampshire. Adie Cobb played scrum-half at the age of 51.
SUSSEX ONE CRAWLEY
Captain Oliver Hall
Coach Mal Chumbley
There was a new coach, new players and a new approach, producing a youthful team playing with impressive mobility. Goalkicking wing Fraser Thompson led the scoring but Chumbley was unwilling to pick out individuals from a team that often included seven players fresh out of colts. The key now is to cope with the added physicality of regional leagues.
SUSSEX TWO EAST GRINSTEAD
Captain Mark Oliver
Coach Rhodri Lewis
With the plug pulled on the ambitious professional project headed by Justin Bishop, Gs returned to more community roots, taking the league status occupied by their third XV, and relaunched the club. Fly-half Steven Cooke scored 146 points and Dan Arnold excelled in the back row with Daan Hulst.
SUSSEX THREE HASTINGS & BEXHILL II
Captain Chris Pillow
Coaches Chris Brooks (lead),
Kit Claughton (backs)
The second XV were coached alongside the first team, who won Kent One, and followed the same structures. A host of players stepped up from the colts and thrived with experienced figures like No 8 Sam Haslam and fl y-half James Morris. Lock Rob McManus did sterling work.
SUSSEX FOUR EAST EAST GRINSTEAD II
Captain Matt Marriott
Coach Rhodri Lewis
As part of the rebirth of East Grinstead, the second team supported their senior side and had success themselves. Fly-half Ben Gray scored 110 points and captain Marriott, at 42, added six touchdowns from full-back. Hooker Tom Kiernan and centre Richard Dodgson shone. Just as pleasingly, every player had at least one outing in the first XV.
SUSSEX FOUR WEST HOLBROOK
Captain Connor Pascoe
Coaches Seamus Higgins (head), Richard Smith (assistant) Crawley prop Higgins faced a season out through injury so accepted an invitation to coach Horsham-based Holbrook. Results were impressive and some newcomers were among the top performers, including lock Derrick Foster and centre Tom Smith. Higgins is now moving on to a new challenge, coaching a team in the U8 age group.