'It's incredible': Wath heading for new heights after pipping Dinnington in epic title chase
LEAGUE champions Wath RUFC are celebrating an “incredible” achievement after earning the right to play at the highest level in their history.
Wath beat off a season-long challenge from near neighbours Dinnington to win Yorkshire One and, with it, promotion to the Counties North East Two.
It will be new territory for the club and is the result of years of hard work and planning.
”The club is going to play at a level it has never been at and that is something to be proud of,” said chairman Michael Scherdel.
"It has been an ambition. I started as chairman five years ago and it was kind of in my sights. We’ve had a plan and we’ve got there.
"For a town of our size – we’re a little village really – to be competing with bigger towns is incredible really.”
Wath and Dinnington traded win for win right through the league season.
It took a 16-match winning streak for Wath to pip their rivals to top spot, and even then on Points Difference.
Michael added: "To have to play the last five games knowing we not only had to win but to do it with four tries every time, it put a different slant on watching the matches certainly as a supporter, really nervy.
"We pushed each other on and it is good for rugby in South Yorkshire because we’re always the poorer cousin of the more affluent areas.”
Wath won 62-10 away to Old Rishworthian last week while Dinnington, also promoted, won 35-19 at West Leeds.
They have congratulated Wath on the their achievement.