Members of Foots Cray Ladies Rugby team have been celebrating after winning the South East 4 League title.

The team, which was originally formed by wives and girlfriends of Foots Cray men's team after receiving a Lottery grant four years ago and has been promoted three times!

In their first season, they won the Merit Table and moved up to the South East 5 League where they finished in mid-table, then third and then promoted in second.

This season, the 23-strong squad which is based in New Etlham and has members from all the surrounding boroughs, as well as Dartford, has won seven of its eight games, scoring 184 points and conceding just 20.

In six games the opposition failed to score, and only Lewes, in a 15-all draw back in November, prevented Foots Cray Ladies from winning.

The club's success has been mirrored by selections at representative level, with Jacqui Hill having played for South-East England and Kent, while Sue Ward, Sarah McKiernan, Fiona Senton, Tamsin Bunton, Andrea Coop and Leigh Codd have all been picked for Kent.

Team spokesman Sarah McKiernan puts the success down to good coaching. She said: "Richard Bunton was our first coach but later felt we needed a change.

"So Barry Shaw and his assistant Paul Clifford came in and gave us a different angle and has had a huge impact on the team.

"We have six ladies playing for Kent and one who has gone on to represent the region, while our squad ranges from the age of 16 to 42.

"In next season's higher league we won't get hammered each week and probably won't go up, but we'll give a good account of ourselves.

"We are already looking forward to the grudge' games against Sidcup we'll have them next season!

"Ladies rugby is up there with ladies football in terms of popularity and it is becoming more popular at schools. Hopefully, we can get the younger players through."

The squad comprises: Sue Ward; Jacqui Hill; Laura Keen; Sarah Mckiernan; Fiona Senton; Andrea Scott; Tamsin Bunton; Becky Ballance; Linzi Wade; Andrea Coop; Claire Codd; Claire Malloch; Heather Shaw; Leigh Codd; Kate Walker; Joan Mills; Emma Newman; Fioan Hussey; Rakhee Hindocha; Libby Jessop; Paula Hedges; Wendy Douglas and Sarah Spinks.

If you would like details on Foots Cray Ladies Rugby Club, call Tamsin on 020 8663 6447.