Newmarket rained on Southwold RFC's glorious parade on Saturday as their 1st XV won a hard fought match against the unbeaten league winners. Southwold RFC have played 22 and won 21 this season winning promotion (several weeks ago) out of Eastern Counties 1 and into London North East 3. Not a bad way to celebrate the club's 50th season.

David Fossett, Southwold RFC's chairman, says: "We are all very proud of what the squad has achieved this year. Until Saturday they had been unbeaten in the league for over a year - since February 2014. A complete turn around from several years of under-achievement. This is a terrific tonic for the club and a tremendous effort from our new coaching team of Ally Butler and Skip Webb and commitment from our players. A great effort all round and we look forward to a new challenge next year in the London leagues'.

The spirit in the club is palpable and this isn't just in the seniors. The Colts have reached the semi-finals of the Eastern Counties Cup and face Colchester on the 19th April. They also reached the quarter finals of the Colts LV Cup and nine of the team have played for the 1st XV this season. Meanwhile at the other end of the club, the U10s won the Prima Cup earning them the right to play at Welford Road in the finals - one of only eight teams from a pool of over 70 who entered the competition.

Other Minis' teams have also picked up silverware throughout the season including the U8s, U9s and U12s all winning at the Diss festival and with successes at the YM and N Walsham tournaments. The Minis section is not only the future but is also a credit to the club, winning the fair-play award at the Bury St Edmunds Festival. The Minis' Chairman at Bury said "Southwold RFC were voted as being the club that visited our festival that most displayed the qualities the rugby community expects from a participating side. All our coaches witnessed examples of Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship from not only the players but coaches and parents alike." Piers Currie, Southwold's Minis' Chairman, proudly picked up the award which included a fun day for all the players at Xplore worth £3000.

The Youth section started the season well with the U13s winning the Suffolk Sevens back in September. Though the results have been mixed since, the teams have taken some big scalps during the season and can boast a total of 16 players with county caps, 4 with Eastern Counties caps and 10 that have been in the Premiership EPDG schemes. But arguably the greatest victory this season was the U14s joining forces with Beccles RFC from October to ensure enough numbers to play fixtures. Their coach, Duncan Hume, concludes, "By merging and sharing facilities with our arch rivals, 20 boys have played rugby every Sunday rather than Xbox or that other game where they wear shiny shorts!"

While other clubs in the region struggle to recruit players, Southwold has squads in every age group from U7s to Colts, two men's teams and a Ladies' team (who were promoted last season). Not bad for a little club on the coast with a catchment area of mostly sea.

The secret is not just the quintessential location which, as visitors know all too well, can be the coldest place on earth. Nor is it just the impressive and friendly RFU funded clubhouse. It is a combination of enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers and considered management who ensure that it is no longer a club of team silos.

The club's ambitions are now firmly focussed on benefitting from the increase in rugby's profile from the Rugby World Cup in October. Southwold RFC welcomes with welcome arms any player of any age, gender or ability who would like to give the game and the club a try (excuse the pun!). Simply visit the appropriate age group page and contact the the team manager.