The moment of truth has almost arrived for Southend RFC, who can seal a place back in the upper-echelons of English rugby for the first time in a decade tomorrow.

A slip against their struggling hosts Norwich is unthinkable, and victory will almost certainly earn them a place in National Division Three South after years on the slide and then their revival in recent seasons.

Promotion will be their third in succession after a spell in Three North East of the London League.

Although it is still technically possible for promotion rivals Haywards Heath to overhaul the points difference any sort of win over Norwich -- who are next to bottom of the table -- would virtually guarantee national rugby for the 2003/04 campaign.

Published Friday, April 11, 2003

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