BASINGSTOKE RFC director of rugby James Croker paid tribute to his players after watching them win promotion by beating Eton Manor in a play-off on Saturday afternoon.

The 27-3 victory at Down Grange made it 14 games without defeat for ’Stoke, who will spend next season in National Three London as a result.

Croker said: “It feels amazing for everyone and I am really proud of my players. Over the course of the season I think we deserve to go up. To go 14 games unbeaten is a great achievement, worthy of promotion.

“It’s a great group of lads and this is a collective victory. The 19 I picked today did a fantastic job but I have used 42 players over the course of the season, so it’s a real squad effort.

"To win promotion in a play-off in front of our home crowd is great for the club.

"We made some errors early on but our strength and conditioning came to the fore in the second-half. We played in the right areas, scored three good tries and deserved to win.

“I’m not sure how many people were here but the support was amazing. These sort of days are what it’s all about. They are why we play rugby.”

The match took on an even greater significance for Basingstoke captain Neil Young, who was making his final appearance after several years of dutiful service to the club.

“I could not ask for a better way to sign off,” he said. “It is a dream come true. The atmosphere was fantastic and it’s been a brilliant day.

“I think we deserved it. They were very physical but once we got stuck in, the result was only going one way.

“To do it with this group of lads is really nice. It’s a great team and the spirit is great. I have really enjoyed the last couple of years and credit to the coaches for what they have achieved.”

Saturday’s match may have been Young’s last as a player – but he is keen to remain involved at the club.

“I think James Croker has some ideas to keep me involved,” Young added. “That might be coaching juniors, which I am very interested in, or on the committee to help keep the club moving forward. I will certainly be staying around in some capacity.”

’Stoke chairman Steve Tristram added: “It’s a really good day.

“They are such a good group of local boys who have been at the club for a long time. They deserve this and I am really proud of them.”