OLD Halesonians president Simon Hussey is still on cloud nine after the club reached the National Leagues for the first time in their history.

A 41-7 win at Northwich was enough to clinch the Midlands One West title.

And Hussey, who is also team manager, paid tribute to director of rugby Gary Cox and club chairman Ian Bullock for making the season such a success.

He said: “This is the pinnacle for us, the highest position achieved in the club’s history and I can’t praise Gary and Ian, and the committee that has worked with them highly enough for all their hard work.

“They have done a great job taking us from being a junior club and getting the squad to gel together throughout the season while still maintaining the club’s ethos.”

National League rugby will bring with it new challenges and Hussey says they are already looking past Saturday’s season finale at home to third-placed Lichfield (3pm) which is preceded by the now traditional HOGS Lunch.

“National League rugby offers different challenges for us and we putting in place plans to strengthen the club from minis through to juniors and colts while keeping our place as a traditional rugby club.

“It’s been a great season for us all round with our seconds close to lifting the North Midland Reserve title if they can beat Sutton in their title decider.”

Immediate pressure from the kick-off saw Hales forwards driving into the opposition, the first try coming to skipper Rich Taylor following forward dominance, which Chris Hooper converted.

The pressure continued with driving runs by Tom Dempsey, Lol Breeze and Pete Fitzgerald, who had a fine game at hooker.

Rewards came with forwards and backs combining well for winger Luke Smith to score in the corner.

The visitors never let-up and drove again at the stunned home defence, Smith again collecting a ball, chipping forward, collecting and feeding the Breeze to make it 17-0.

Now it was the turn for the backs to perform, Dave Hadkiss linked well with stand off Steve Powell and winger Simon Sabel scored in the corner.

This try was unconverted but the bonus point was in the bag after 30 minutes. The visitors again took the game to Northwich, with a scrum just in the visitors half. A planned move combining Hadkiss, Powell and Carl Robinson saw the centre sprint through the gap created, to score a brilliant try, converted by Hooper.

The second half was a bit more positive for Northwich who tried everything to breach the visitors defence. Hales stood strong and kept up the momentum, replacement winger Joe Oxford ran in for a converted try.

The only score after the break came was another from replacement winger Oxford although Northwich did give the score an air of respectibility with a consolation try.

The seconds retained their 100 per cent league record with a 54-7 win at Luctonian Knights.