WATH’s player-coach Ryan Burrows said his all-conquering side will look to carry their momentum into next season and look for another promotion.
Wath sealed a famous treble last weekend with their first Yorkshire Shield win since 1961.
It followed up their Yorkshire One league triumph and their victory in the RFU Counties Plate.
Harrogate Pythons were blown away in the last quarter of the game with Wath running out 41-17 winners at Huddersfield Laund Hill.
It also extended their unbeaten run to 22 matches.
Next season they will compete in the unprecedented heights of Regional 2 North East – the club’s highest ever level in 96 years of history.
Burrows said: “Last June, myself and assistant coach Gary Bramhall set our stall out and told the players we wanted to win the league.
“The lads have bought into that.
“What’s amazing is that, of the 18 players we have used for most of the season, 16 have come through our junior system. None of the players get paid.
“I’ve had dog’s abuse all year but the reality is, other than myself, Alex Pegg and Harry Hermitage, this is the squad that finished mid-table last year.
“Those two have added something to the team and been great signings but us three have not done it all on ourselves.
“We have debates in the club all the time about the best ever Wath team, particularly with the old boys and my dad (who was captain) and if this isn’t the best ever Wath team then it’s close.
“Just looking at the facts, this is the first time we have got out of Yorkshire One, so we have that argument.
“I am here to win stuff. So let’s go for promotion again next season.
“I don’t know what to make of the league yet but if we concentrate on ourselves we can have a really positive season.
“Only four of us have played at this level or higher but we aim high.”
As a Wath product, the former Newcastle Falcons player, said his move back to this level was an emotional one particularly following the tragic loss of his brother, Matthew, who had also captained the club.
He is proud to be making more happy memories at ‘his’ club.
“Wath is the only club I would have played for at this level,” he added.
“I look at my nephew Harry and he’s the same age I was when I was here.
“He is running the water on and having the time of his life.
“We are building for the future.
“It is important that we have a structure in place and that there is not too much of a gulf between the first team and second team.
“Next season the second team will be in Yorkshire Two, a really competitive league, and that is vitally important.”
Burrows got the first score against Harrogate as he picked up and crashed over from the back of the scrum.
Pegg added a second after being fed by Patrick Selkirk. Anthony Hamilton scored Wath’s third after powering over.
Pythons got a converted try back before the break.
They moved to within a point of Wath early in the second half.
Alex Butterworth’s try and Jack Whitlam’s conversion then gave Wath more breathing room and, despite a penalty from Harrogate, they went through the gears to secure the win.
Tom Quinn and Will Chipchase both went over for Wath, with Whitlam converting both.
Burrows rounded off the scoring with the final play of the game.
