Kesteven rewrote the history book by gaining promotion for the first time in the club’s 66-year history at Woodnook on Saturday (April 20).
The Black Army destroyed third-placed West Bridgford 80-12 to set up a mouth-watering final match at home against league leaders Melbourne tomorrow – a game which will decide who becomes champion of the Midlands League 3 East (North).
Startling as it may seem, Kesteven RFC have never been promoted since the club was formed in 1947.
Club secretary Bill Berridge explained that Kesteven have moved up leagues before, but only as a result of restructures due to changes further up the ladder.
Ks have had a tremendously consistent season, winning 18 games out of 21, with one draw and only two losses.
First team captain Phil Jordan put the new found success down to the fruition of the flourishing junior section that has brought players through to form a well-drilled squad.
Phil said: “It’s built up over a good number of years. There are a number of young players who have come through the junior section.
“The majority of the youngsters in the squad played in the juniors at Kesteven and that’s what has changed the club.”
Phil also praised the club’s coaches, including Mark Sayle who has worked with many of the players from a young age, and has trained the first team for the last three years.
Kesteven took West Bridgford apart in their penultimate game, with tries from Cameron Hudson (3), Chris Galloway, Martyn Parker, James Goodrich (2), Olly Wood, SCott Odams, Will Can and Dan Turner (2). Galloway kicked eight conversions and Parker two.
Going into tomorrow’s championship decider, skipper Phil said he was confident Kesteven would get the job done.
He said: “We played Melbourne in the first game and beat them away. We are at home on Saturday and we are looking to become champions.”
l Kick-off at Woodnook is 3pm.