ALTRINCHAM Kersal RUFC are celebrating after winning the South Lancs/Cheshire Division One Northern Division title.

The Kersal Drive-based club wrapped up the silverware in emphatic style with a 24-7 win against fellow contenders Liverpool St Helens last week.

Scores by Rob Hesseltine, Ben Davies, Steve Richardson and a penalty try saw them earn promotion to the Northern Division North West One League.

One of the club's longest serving players JP Singleton was delighted at their campaign at getting promotion at the first time of asking.

He said: "It was fantastic and that was our objective at the start of the season.

"It was a bit touch and go sometimes and there were a few twists especially with Liverpool St Helens pushing us until the last game.

"Our skill levels were high but we had to ensure we did not get complacent.

"Some of the teams we beat convincingly and then when you faced them again you had to dig in.

"Especially in our last game we were without our two prop forwards as one was away in New York and another had food poisoning.

"That meant younger props Jack Gallimore and Connor Whyley came in and had to do a job against the experiences St Helens front row."

Victories against Withington and defeating local rivals Bowden were among the highlights of the season but the future looks bright at the club.

Singleton added: "The amount of young players in the 18-man squad was great and they were all local too.

"We have had a lot of young players in the past but they often leave or go to university but this year was great to see them in the squad.

"Our head coach Chris Nettleton also deserves a lot of praise because he has been involved with the team for 30 odd years and now we have achieved promotion which is great."