INDIA Harvey has expressed her delight after helping Thurrock T-Birds clinch a league championship she initially feared was unlikely.

Thurrock’s women’s side saw off Trojans Ladies 32-0 at the weekend to ensure another first place finish in the Women’s Championship South.

And the Hockley-based Harvey was thrilled to pick up her fifth league title with the T-Birds.

“I am incredibly pleased to win the league this year, especially after it seemed we had very little chance,” said the centre.

“Losing two games early on in the season kind of ruled us out but towards the back end of the season we have played some of our best rugby.

“We beat every team with bonus points which has allowed us to win the Championship again.

“Sunday’s performance was the pinnacle of the season as we knew we had players missing due to half term and the game being rescheduled due to the snow.

“But everyone put on their shirt and definitely did the team proud.

“We said at the beginning of the season that we would use this as a development to try and rebuild again and no way did I think we would win so it’s great.”

T-Birds triumphed in 12 of their 14 league fixtures to sit 10 points clear at the top of the table.

However, controversial RFU guidelines mean the team cannot be promoted into the Premiership.

And Harvey felt that meant T-Birds had to find extra motivation at the start of the season when they knew it was impossible to go up.

“So much work went on behind the scenes to try and get us in the Premiership and it was a huge knock when we were refused,” said Harvey.

“We definitely needed to find some extra motivation this year after the disappointing appeal.

“The players had to work out whether they still wanted to play in this league, whether they still wanted to play for Thurrock and to be honest there was a lot of confusion around the team.

“But I can safely say that the girls who have played week in week out, carrying knocks and injuries have done themselves very proud as well as the club as a whole.”

However, that was not the only hiccup T-Birds had to overcome.

“We had no coaching team and various people had to step up each week to take the sessions,” revealed Harvey.

“We turned up to some games with 16 players and ended the game with 14. But we bounced back massively and we want people to know Thurrock do want to achieve more.”