Unbeaten Romsey reached the Snows Group Hampshire 2 finishing line in emphatic style – claiming the title with their 18th win in as many games.

The only side standing in their way on the last day of league action were opponents, second-placed Ventnor.

Both teams had already sewn up promotion but Romsey needed just one point to make sure they finished top.

They dominated the match, apart from a couple of odd patches in the second half, to win 64-7.

And the victory was all the more satisfying for the first XV who were determined to complete the season unbeaten in memory of teammate Macaulay Campbell who died in a road accident in February.

After the victory, an emotional coach, Ewald Van Zyl, said: “We spoke about Mac in changing room before coming out and this was targeted towards him.

"Before he passed away he wanted to win the title, that is something he was burning for and we set that as the task to achieve for him and we have done that.

"I think Mac was proud to be part of the squad and everyone should be proud of themselves and for what we have achieved.”

Any nerves were settled in the opening seconds when Romsey collected the ball from the kick-off and raced it through quick hands for centre Jed Easton to sprint over.

Wing Luke Till followed minutes later and, with the home side knocking on the door with every play, Alex Lee forced his way over the line.

The all-important fourth try came when wing Will Farthing stole the ball on the half-way line and weaved his way past several tackles at high speed to dive over between the posts.

Cheers from a bumper crowd rang around the Sports Centre as the bonus point secured the title.

Romsey still had more than 40 minutes to show why they were the new champions and more tries rained in from Till, Easton, Number 8 Jack Groves and second row James Griffin before Ventnor scored a converted try.

Romsey scrum half Dan Penn-Newman then interception a pass in his own half and raced under the posts before he struck again just before the final whistle.

Van Zyl added: “We were absolutely outstanding. We dominated every area of the game. With the set pieces we were dominant right from the start and that’s how we applied our pressure.

"We got good ball from the forwards who worked their socks off and that gave us front forward ball to play off the backs.

"They played fantastic open rugby and we managed to score the points and are ecstatic about it.

“We were very confident coming into this final game and wanted to show how good we are and that we belong at the top and we have done that. We are ecstatic about it and the players are the stars of the club.”

Proud chairman John Lee said: “We were disappointed to be relegated from Hampshire 1 last season and our aim was to bounce straight back and we are happy we have been able to do that.”