BERRY HILL are celebrating after safely negotiating a tricky play-off at Chippenham on Saturday to win promotion back to South West One.

Reflecting on a 20-5 victory, coach Lee Osborne said his team had achieved no less than they deserved.

"It has been a long and hard season but we only lost three league games. We have a very young side and I have watched them develop and improve over the campaign and they have really deserved promotion," he said.

Osborne and fellow coach Ady Powles have worked superbly to guide Berry Hill through what could easily have been a difficult season.

The muddle which still surrounds promotion and relegation issues in league rugby saw Berry Hill nose-dive to South West Two.

"There were those who thought there would be no way back. But our youngsters have done really well and if we can keep hold of them we should at least hold our own in South West One," said Osborne.

He points to the raw talent of lock Robert Rawlings who was thrown in at the deep end in the second-row and emerged with honours, and the abilities of back-row player Tony Bean – one of the best players in his position in the league, believes Osborne.

Other players to shine included Wayne Whitson at full-back and young prop Luke Hunter.

"They have all done well and can only improve," says Osborne.

Berry Hill will look to recruit some new players in the close season but are concerned about keeping the present squad.

"There is always the temptation to play elsewhere, but I am hoping we will keep them all," he said.

Osborne remains concerned about the league set-up and points to the demise of Stroud who have been relegated from South West One.

"They won almost half their games and finished fifth from bottom but still had the drop. Something needs to be done to regulate the situation so that clubs know at the start of the season what they have to achieve," he said

Will Osborne, now 32, still be playing himself?

"If no-one else comes along I have to say I fancy having a crack at Cinderford who have come down to join us," he laughed.

•Drybrook's hopes of promotion came unstuck in their play-off game at Yatton where they lost 32-0.