2020/21 ‘is already looking exciting’ for Horsham

Horsham Rugby Club’s vicechairman says next season ‘is already looking exciting’ after the club’s final position was confirmed.

Following the early end of the rugby season in England as a result of Covid-19, the Rugby Football Union announced the final league positions. It was agreed the final standings in the men’s community game would be calculated on a best playing record formula, maintaining promotion and relegation for those leagues.

Horsham finished seventh in London one south with Havant and Westcombe Park gaining promotion and HAC, Dartfordians and Beckenham dropping out of the league.

Vice-chairman and commercial manager Richard Ordidge, said: “Following promotion into London 1 South, which is as high as this club has ever played, the 2019-20 season for Horsham was all about consolidation at this higher level which we are delighted was effectively achieved as early as January, so we are happy to finish in seventh position in the league out of 14 sides.

“Declan Nwachukwu was the leading scorer with 18 tries despite a truncated season and missing several games while away on international duty with Nigeria.

“Forty seven players saw 1st XV action over the course of the season, of which Jordan Smith made the most appearances.

“A feature of the campaign was the youth of the side with as many as 16 players featuring while still in their teens which bodes well for the future.

“Next season is already looking exciting, and I would like to congratulate Haywards Heath on their promotion into our league, which will provide a renewal of local rivalries to add to that already held in the division with Chichester.”

Horsham Rugby Club head coach Nick Stocker said: “We feel the RFU positions were probably the best solution so we can move forward properly when the restrictions are eased. For us, we couldn’t have seen much difference in our position other then the opportunity to play a couple of winnable games at the end of the season as opposed to the run of tough fixtures we’ve had recently.

“Overall it’s been a good season stepping up and having blooded lots of young players, we believe we are in a good shape to develop further.”