East London RFC received their official Essex League One winner’s trophy in a gala dinner and presentation evening hosted on Friday (10 June) by Essex County RFU.
Special guest at the awards ceremony staged at the Orsett Hall Hotel in Orsett was former England prop forward Paul Rendall, capped 28 times for his country from 1984 to 1991, including two Rugby World Cups.
East London RFC’s vice-chairman Simon Crick and club treasurer Deborah Bird collected the winner’s shield on behalf of the club, who were among 16 recipients on the night.
Rendall, (pictured with Simon and Deborah), visited East London when the Rugby World Cup 2015 Trophy Tour arrived last September. He said: “East London have done well on and off the pitch and it is great to see all the club’s hard work rewarded.”
East London’s 1st XV won the Essex League One 2015/16 title with 16 wins from 18 matches, scoring 716 points and 112 tries in the process. The newly promoted side kick-off in London 3 North East division on 10 September.
To cap a successful season for the club East London Ladies won the Women’s National Challenge London and SE North 2 division. The 2nd XV, the Wyverns, finished third in Merit League division two, missing top spot by only three points. The 3rd XV were second in division seven and runners up in the Shepherd Neame Merit Table division seven Cup final. The 4th XV were fifth in division eight, but took silverware by winning the Shepherd Neame Merit Table division eight Plate final.
Pre-season training for the 2016/17 campaign starts for current players and potential new recruits at 7pm on Thursday 7 July at Memorial Park in Holland Road, West Ham.
Touch rugby sessions are currently taking places on Thursdays at 7pm for anyone interested in getting started in the game or to improve levels of fitness.