WEYMOUTH & Portland are popping the champagne corks after winning the Counties Two Tribute Dorset & Wilts South title.
Rich Bament’s Seahorses were confirmed as champions after Lytchett Minster produced a shock 20-15 win over second-placed Oakmeadians.
Oaks have just one game remaining and trail Weymouth & Portland, who have two games to go, by seven points.
With a maximum of five points available for a victory, including a bonus point for four tries, it means the leaders cannot be overhauled unless they forfeit a game.
Speaking to Echosport, Bament said: “Lytchett have pulled one out of the bag for us, it’s worked in our favour and we can’t be beaten.
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“We’ve won the league, so well done to everybody. It’s just about the winning margin now.
“The guys want to finish on a high and do the best they can. We’ll be going all out for wins in both games.”
He added: “The margin of victory doesn’t concern me, it’s how they all play and if they learn every game.
“I’m just there to help them along their way and improve them as rugby players, as coaching did to me.
“It’s three years including Covid that I’ve been down there and they’ve been three good years.
“This year we’ve come out top of the pile, I’m pleased for that, for the players and the club to get the recognition they deserve. We’re chuffed.”
However, promotion is not guaranteed as only two of the three league champions in Dorset & Wilts South, North and Central can earn promotion.
The team with the best record across the three leagues will gain automatic promotion, with the other two league winners contesting a play-off to decide who goes up.
Alternatively, one of the three champions could decide against promotion, leaving the other two free to ascend to Counties One Tribute Southern South.
Weymouth & Portland wish to gain promotion but could face a play-off due to Corsham’s 100 per cent record in the Central division.
Bament said: “It’s a strange ruling, it’s something that’s been in the regulations since the start.
“Nothing’s going to change it, so the guys know that’s where it stands. We’ll look at that game when it comes along.
“It’s just another game we’ve got to go out and win.”
Weymouth & Portland host Bridport on Saturday, March 4 before their final league game at home to East Dorset Dockers one week later.
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