Southend will be playing National League rugby next season after crushing Norwich 60-12 in Saturday's London One finale to clinch promotion as champions.

"I think it's fair to say all the lads and everyone connected with the club is pretty chuffed," said skipper James Shearing, whose side finished ahead of Haywards Heath on points difference.

"We've worked so hard this season to achieve this and it's very satisfying to reach our goal.

"Now we'll be doing everything possible to prepare well for next season in the National.

"If we can consolidate and stay up there for a couple of seasons who knows, we could be thinking about another promotion push in the not-too-distant future."

Published Monday, April 14, 2003

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