THE champagne corks were popping at Rackerhayes on Saturday after Newton Abbot Rugby Football Club won promotion to South West Two Division.

In the Western Counties West/North play-off, in front of a large crowd, the club – nicknamed the All Whites – defeated Walcot Old Boys, from Bath, by 24 points to 12. The All Whites missed out on promotion last year to St Ives on points difference.

Since the millennium, the fortunes of the club have improved in leaps and bounds and the latest success is little more than they deserve. Club spokesman Gordon Hooper said it was a great achievement after five years of steady progress in the Western Counties division. 'By taking a step up the ladder the bonus is we will have local derbies against Torquay Athletic and Brixham, while other local interest will be provided by Exmouth.

'It gives us the opportunity to play at different grounds and welcome new clubs to Rackerhayes. l Turn to page 2 l From page 1 'The atmosphere, especially over the past six weeks, has been buzzing and we have been playing in front of large crowds and attracting a lot of new and former supporters.

'That support will be invaluable at the higher level next season. Hopefully we will attract a wider sponsorship, greater interest from the town and attract some new players because we will definitely need to strengthen our squad for the higher league,' said Mr Hooper. He praised the All Whites' main sponsor, Kitson Hutchings solicitors, which he said had supported the club for many years. It is a far cry from 19 years ago when league rugby began. In their first season Newton were demoted from the Devon and Cornwall League. They spent around 10 seasons in Devon Division One, eventually won it and spent a year back in the Cornwall and Devon before the jump into the Western Counties five years ago. Since then they have finished third on two occasions, fourth twice and now success, while two years ago they won the Devon Senior Cup, beating Brixham in the final. For the past two seasons the club have won the Dubai International Sevens Plate. Russ Baker is the director of rugby, Phil Burford the coach, Jeff Rowe assistant coach and Keith Maclean the team manager, and it is hoped the same management team will continue. There will be changes, though. Captain and scrum half Ian Barnes is departing. An Exeter University student, he has finished his studying and is returning to London to work, while winger Jack Burford is having a trial with Bristol.