Horsham Rugby Club Lions look to wrap up league title

Having sealed promotion despite losing their unbeaten record on Saturday, Horsham Lions will wrap up the league title at this weekend’s final match of the season.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Apr 2013, 10:56 BST
JPCT 130413 S13160424x Rugby. Horsham 2nd team in action -photo by Steve CobbJPCT 130413 S13160424x Rugby. Horsham 2nd team in action -photo by Steve Cobb
JPCT 130413 S13160424x Rugby. Horsham 2nd team in action -photo by Steve Cobb

The side need only to turn up to the game away at Bognor to seal the Sussex 2 West title after enjoying a fine season.

There was some annoyance at Coolhurst last weekend as Chichester VI fielded a strong team to win 25-5 and end Horsham’s season-long unbeaten league record in the soggy conditions.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

As Lions skipper Mark Elliott outlined: “Losing our unbeaten league record was disappointing, and Chichester confirmed it wasn’t their fourth team but their second team which is allowed but is considered very unsporting.

“We still secured promotion even though we lost, and the point we need to win the league we’ll get by just turning up against Bognor this Saturday.”

Having just missed out on promotion last year, Elliott pin-pointed two narrow wins over fellow promoted side Worthing (12-10 and 6-5) as key to his young side’s success.

A number of the club’s budding youngsters have taken centre stage, including winger Alex Ickringnell, top scorer in his first season at Horsham. Centre Richard Henderson’s strong running and tackling has been a real feature of the season, while Ciaran Fitzgerald has been a ever presence in the second row.

The fine combination of Josh Shalk and Joe Wilde at scrum half and fly half, mixed with an important blend of senior heads has helped the side enjoy their title-winning campaign.

Related topics:ChichesterBognor