Perfect 10 for Sylvans

Rangers 1, Sylvans 3

SYLVANS finally clinched their 10th Priaulx League title last night. The only problem for their supporters - and some of their long-serving players - was that it came two years too late.

Senior figures in the side said yesterday that they had pulled together for 'one last effort' in regaining the crown they held so imperiously for most of the 1990s.

And under new coach Joel Avery, captain for many of those triumphs, it all came together.

Avery remembered the feeling of lifting the Priaulx Cup and said it was not much different being the boss.

'I do get nervous as coach, more so than when I was playing. It is nerve-wracking. I don't show it on the bench, but believe you me, my heart's jumping.'

Sylvans wanted to complete a record-breaking run of 10 consecutive titles in 2002-3, but lost out to Vale Rec. Last season their campaign fell apart and they finished fourth.

But after a sticky start to this season, they went on a long unbeaten run in the league which stretched nearly seven months.

The club face a massive challenge to do it all again next year. A number of senior players are considering retiring and openly spoke of their plans after the trophy was handed over.