CHINGFORD coach Phil Howell insists his team will be a force to be reckoned with in London Two North next season, after securing fifth place with a final game victory over Bury St Edmunds.

The Waltham Way outfit had set their sights on promotion at the beginning of the campaign, having narrowly missed out in the three previous seasons.

Howell admitted his team had fallen below expectations, but he took solace in the fact that the team had claimed local bragging rights once again, after finishing above Woodford and Eton Manor in the final standings.

“We’ve finished below what we’re used to. To be honest we were expecting to finish higher than we have,” he reflected. “But we’ve struggled to get a settled side, and we haven’t been able to field our strongest XV once this season because of injuries and unavailability.

“But one thing we have done is prove that we are the top side in the area. Local bragging rights are always nice to have.”

An impressive run of nine victories in 12 games saw Chingford usurp Woodford and finish on a high. And Howell is confident that they can carry on that momentum next season, when they will be hoping to contest for a top two spot.

“Certainly, if we can get our team settled and have everyone together then we will be pushing for the top.”

Tries from Tom Childs, Kurt Forward and Andrew Grounds ensured Howell’s men ended the campaign on a high note, as they ran out 20-5 victors against third-placed Bury.

Elsewhere, Woodford brought the curtain down on their season with a disappointing 33-13 defeat to lowly Westcliff.

Eton Manor finished with a flourish, chalking up their third successive victory at the expense of Welwyn, while the result also ensured they leapfrogged local rivals Woodford into seventh place on points difference.