Four years of effort pays off in promotion
ANDY Long was bursting with pride as his Bishop’s Stortford side clinched the title in style with a thumping win over Exmouth.
Stortford have been knocking on the door for four years since promotion to Two South and there was to be no denying them as they ran in ten tries.
Needing a win to guarantee top spot, they never looked in any danger , with Long already planning for next season.
He said: “I’m so proud of the all the players, a lot of these guys were here when we got promoted four years ago and it’s the same group who have helped us now.
“These are guys who are playing for the love of the club, they come from the area, they want to represent their team and it’s great to get the job done.
“It’s always good when your preparation goes well, and we brought 150 people down to Exmouth for this.
“It’s been four years of building and although there have been a few failures along the way, we’re delighted to have earned promotion.
“We’ll enjoy this now and then prepare for next season. This is the end of one chapter but we want to keep building into next season.”
Bishops' lively backs caused problems in the wider channels and an ability to keep the ball for long periods told against a less organised defence that leaked at various points throughout the game.
Exmouth to their credit, worked hard throughout, but had no answers to the lightning backs and counter attacking game of the league leaders who must have known that promotion was sealed when they ran in their forth try bonus point mid way through the first half.
An early score from
winger Jimmy Rea, was quickly followed by impressive centre Sam Winter for a 12-0 lead. Goal kicker Tom Banks ran in and converted his own try from a quick tap penalty to add to an earlier conversion.
Blindside flanker James Apperly scored the bonus point try with Banks adding the extras, and a cricket score looked likely in the promotion party.
No.8 Stephen Ball scored the fifth try five minutes before half-time with Banks adding the extras. Exmouth coach Jon Hill made two changes before half-time and one of them, centre Alex Goldman, made an excellent break through the middle to offload to impressive blindside James Harris, to make the score respectable at the break. Centre Ollie Rice converted.
The second half belonged to full-back Will Simmonds who helped himself to a hat-trick, with Nick Hankin and Dan Elsom also crossing.
Exmouth boss Hill said: “I am absolutely delighted for Bishop's who have been the best side we have played against all season, and who's club ethos is impressive and should be applauded. The togetherness of their side and the spirit that they show is superb.”