Looking back at the season, perhaps the most significant moment was the introduction of Monty Maule, as a very young 17-year-old.

It took some agonising over, but the fact that it was the right decision was never in doubt.

His kicking out of defence has been outstanding, and his overall play has arguably been the difference between the club's success and failure.

It might be invidious to mention individuals in what is after all a team game, but the contribution of Simon Cook in the pack has been massive.

West need fear no-one in the line out, and his work at number eight in the set scrums has on occasions been vital.

There were doubts at the start of the season over the choice of Mike Skinner as captain.

His contribution to the success of the side has been immeasurable, both on and off the pitch where much of a good skipper's work can go unnoticed.

The win over Maldon, for those of you who did not see the report in Tuesday's paper, was well-deserved.

Tries by Singleton, Davenport, and Ed Maule, with one conversion and one penalty by Monty Maule, were enough.

So season 2007-08 disappears into the record books. There is no reason why the ambitious West Norfolk XV cannot go up again next season.

The quality coaching structures are going to bring in three or four youth players each year for the next few years. The recruitment of a couple of hard nosed ball winners in the pack would help, and new players will be made very welcome when training starts again in mid June.

Eastern Counties Rugby Union – RFU County Championship Shield

The ECRU's County Championship campaign gets underway tomorrow at West Norfolk against Hertford. More than 50 players from Norfolk, Suffolk, North Essex and Cambridgeshire have been invited.