RYAN Burrows played in the top flight of English rugby but had never won a trophy in his glittering career until this week as player/coach of his hometown club Wath RUFC.
They finished top of Yorkshire Division One so will be playing in Counties North East Two next season, the highest league they have ever been in.
Wath won 62-10 at Old Rishworthians in their final league game – an 18th straight victory – so finished on 100 points, above Dinnington on points difference.
Burrows said: “It’s been honours even since Valentine’s day. Neither side slipped up for weeks so it was a huge sigh of relief to win it.
“It’s the first time I have ever won anything so it’s a massive achievement.
“But it’s bigger for the club.
“When we started pre-season in June, I stood up in front of the lads and said we’re after one thing only which is to win the league. Wath has been a little bit of a sleeping giant and I knew that we could achieve it.
“When we lost two games earlier in the season, I thought it might have been season over. I told the lads then that they would have to go unbeaten and credit to them, they have been outstanding.
“I am immensely proud of the little village of Wath and credit to the fans who have followed us all over the place. It felt like a home game on Saturday. It was a good weekend for the club because our under 16 girls won a cup as well.”
Ryan’s father and brother Matthew – who died suddenly in 2019 – both previously captained Wath, where Ryan started his rugby journey before playing professionally for many years with the likes of Leeds, Newcastle and Coventry.
“My dad says he played in the last Wath team to get close to getting out of Yorkshire One, finishing second.
“Matt captained for a fair few years.
“It was a little bit raw on Saturday with the emotion of the game but also thinking about him.”
Burrows, 38, has scored around 40 tries this season. He said: “I have really enjoyed it and I’ve still got desire to play. Personally it’s gone well. I’ve scored a load of tries but the leadership I have brought has helped. I have definitely got another year in me, maybe two.”
Wath are hoping to at least consolidate in their new league.
Burrows said: “I know where we have to recruit and we’re speaking to players but I need to reward the lads who have got us in this position. I believe we can be competitive. People keep telling me we will finish in the top three or four but we’ve only just gone up.”
Anthony Davies scored a hat-trick with Robben Bramhall, Josh Bird, Luke Stead, twice, Alex Butterworth, Alex Pegg and Jack Whitlam touching down. Whitlam kicked six conversions.
Wath chairman Mick Scherdel said: “We are delighted and it’s a massive thing for the club.
“Every week we have needed to get the bonus point and I have never been as nervous as I have been of late.
“Attracting Ryan back has been a big thing and the whole breadth of his influence has helped with the energy, skill and professionalism that he brings.
“The players are fitter and everything is more organised. We gave ourselves two years to get promoted and we have done it in the first year.”
Wath are now due to visit New Brighton in the Counties One North Plate quarter-final on Saturday.
They have the Yorkshire Shield Final on May 23 at Huddersfield Laund Hill.
Meanwhile, Barnsley finished their season with a 31-5 win at Rotherham Phoenix in Yorkshire Division Three.
There were tries by Arijus Skirmitas, David Reed, William Lowe and Kuziva Manzani while Dan Eaden kicked all four conversions plus a penalty.
The Shaw Laners finished seventh with eight wins from their 20 games.
It is a higher finish than the previous seasons in which they finished tenth and ninth.
Coach Tom Kittrick said: “The performance was outstanding. Overall we’re really happy with the season but you look back on games and moments.
“We lost twice 20-19 away at teams near the top. We drew at home to Burley when we should have won.
“So you add all that up and we could have been about fourth. But our aim was mid-table and not to be looking over our shoulder. We achieved that. It’s a massive improvement on last year.
“We’ve been competitive in most games except against the top two, but even then we showed character.
“We’re looking to get a Colts team and a second team for next season. The long-term aim is to get out of this division but we need all of that infrastructure and a production line of players.”
Wortley finished their Yorkshire Division Four season with a 21-21 draw at home to Hessle.
They finished last in their six-team league with three wins from 18 games.
