Going up, but no Twickenham joy for L&Y
Lowestoft & Yarmouth manager Matt Jary believes his rugby side are capable of holding their own in the London Leagues after winning promotion at the weekend.
Lowestoft & Yarmouth manager Matt Jary believes his rugby side are capable of holding their own in the London Leagues after winning promotion at the weekend.
A 44-0 demolition of Woodbridge, with No8 Marc Thomas scoring five tries, secured the Eastern Counties One title for L&Y, who have won every league game this season, with three matches still to go.
But L&Y will not be going to Twickenham after the Rugby Football Union on Tuesday night opted to fine their semi-final opponents following racist remarks made in the match programme.
Cornwall side Liskeard-Looe admitted one charge of publishing profane and offensive material and a second of publishing racially abusive content in the programme of their EDF Energy Junior Vase semi-final on March 21.
The RFU hit the club with a �2,500 fine instead of kicking them out of the competition.
The Blue and Whites will now join local rivals Beccles, West Norfolk, Wymondham and in all probability Norwich, in London Division Four (NE) and Jary says promotion is just reward for his talented squad.
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“I don't think it's too big a step to be honest, and I think the squad and its fringe players are good enough to cope well in the London leagues. The team has a nice blend of youth and experience.
“We will need to learn how to win tight games, close matches out and play for the full 80 minutes rather than be runaway winners each week like this season. “I'm immensely proud of the guys. Team unity like this doesn't just happen; everyone has made an effort to pull it all together by training and socialising with each other.
“We hope not to lose any key players over the summer...and we will be looking to attract players in a few key positions too.”
L&Y, who play their home matches at Gunton Park in Corton, have a squad made up of mainly local players who have come up through the ranks and youth system.
The club's gentleman's dinner is being held on Friday, April 24. Order tickets or make a provisional booking by calling L&Y's Keith Nelson on 07939 542407.
