PRESTON Lodge RFC captain Jack Gordon has hailed the club’s players and coaches for securing the league title.
A bumper crowd packed the Pennypit on Saturday and the Prestonpans side did not let them down.
A resounding 51-12 victory over nearest challengers Orkney secured five league points. . . and an immediate return to National League Division Two.
Gordon felt that his side deserved both the victory and the league championship.
He told Courier Sport: “It was like a perfect ending.
“We had everyone there – friends and family – and the crowd had grown from the week before.
“We were against the only team that had beaten us and we had to beat them to win the league.
“I would say we were the best team. If you look at our points difference, you see we go out there to play attacking rugby.
“We have conceded the least amount of points in the league and we have scored the most.
“From the defeat against Orkney, the improvements have been amazing.”
And he added: “Our commitment has really shone through – as has everybody’s commitment at training and how good the coaching staff have been.”
Preston Lodge had found themselves in the fourth tier of Scottish club rugby after a last-day defeat to Berwick last season saw them finish eighth in National League Division Two table.
That, coupled with league reconstruction, meant a place in National League Division Three.
However, Preston Lodge have been in determined form all season – losing just once – as they attempted to get back to the higher division at the first possible opportunity.
Orkney needed to secure at least a losing bonus point on Saturday and then would likely have had to clock up sizeable wins to deny the East Lothian side the league crown.
Instead, Gordon – who works as a sports development officer in East Lothian – and his team-mates can now look forward to playing at a higher level next season.
Speaking about the end of the game on Saturday, the PL captain said: “I was a bit emotional.
“It is what we have put in for the last seven or eight months.
“Since that loss against Berwick, there has been a bit of redemption.
“I am so happy for the boys, especially the younger guys.
“Seeing their faces, seeing what it means to the crowd as well, this was the first time we have won a national league. You could see what it means to the club.”
Head coach Mark Steedman was similarly pleased to see his side wrap up the league title with a game to spare. He said: “It is huge.
“I have been in coaching for a long time and won a league before, been promoted three times and won a cup but to actually win the league with all local boys has probably been the best ever.
“It is all local and all very much community-based.
“This means the most to me.
“The Pennypit is very much a family place and we have worked hard to make it part of the community.”
Preston Lodge wrap up their campaign away to Dumfries Saints next Saturday (February 17).
Steedman has challenged his team to clear one more hurdle and said: “We have never won at Dumfries as a team. Our big goal is to go there and win.”
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