HALSTEAD Templars made sure they did it with a flourish as they captured the club's first-ever league title.

Having dominated the Greene King Eastern Counties League division two south all season, the Templars were crowned champions with two games to go as they beat second-placed Colchester fourths 74-0.

Colchester were the only side who could still deny Halstead the title, but they were put to the sword in a ruthless display as the league crown was added to Halstead's success in the Suffolk RFU Plate earlier this season.

"It was absolutely wonderful," said Templars backs coach Ed Merry.

"Not just winning and taking the title, but finishing it off at home in front of our own fans and, from a personal point of view, against my former club.

"It was just the cherry on top for us.

"Colchester were the second-placed team - the best of the rest and could have still taken the title off us - so to put in easily our best performance in terms of scoring, but also one of the best in terms of how we played was brilliant.

"It's been a season of memorable moments and this just kept it rolling on."

It was a special day for everyone at the club, especially those still involved who have been with the Templars since the club was formed eight years ago and have seen its growing success.

Merry added: "We have moved leagues before because of restructuring but haven't actually won a league title before, so to do it now in the same year as winning the (Suffolk RFU) Plate is very pleasing.

"Doing the double is a huge achievement for this club and it's lovely to see all the hard work that has been put in coming to fruition.

"All that effort of the early years is now paying off.

"We have a tight bunch of guys who have been there every season playing together since the club was started and there is a really strong bond between us.

"The new guys coming in have all brought a great impact, but they also know they are part of a team and that team ethos has built so strongly over the years."

There is no time to rest on laurels, though, as Merry said preparations for division one rugby are already under way, starting with tomorrow's penultimate game of the season - a trip to Felixstowe.

Merry said: "Our head coach Neil Prentice said straight after the game last week that preparations start now for division one rugby.

"We have to be looking at the next level.

"We know we will be looking at survival next year; we don't want to come straight back down and we want to use this title as something to build on.

"We are hoping to attract new players on the back of this success as we would like to be able to develop a second XV.

"We are already eyeing up division one, but we need to make sure we finish this season properly first."