INDIA Harvey has skippered Thurrock to the Championship South title.

The Hockley based Harvey led T-Birds to a 29-14 win against Old Albanians in a title decider at Oakfield.

And Harvey was delighted to secure another top of the table finish on their return to action.

“The season was well needed, especially after two years of not being able to play due to Covid,” said Harvey.

“After the longest pre-season we were definitely ready fitness wise and we were excited to see so many new faces represent Thurrock.

“The season has seemed long, especially with a few games getting postponed due to Covid in December, so I’m so proud of how we managed to stay focused on the task in hand.”

And Harvey feels Thurrock have also improved the longer the season has gone on.

“We have grown so much as a team,” said Harvey.

“Everyone has worked so hard to develop their own skills and we always believed this was our year.

“I am so proud of the squad for every performance.

“No matter what was thrown at us we worked hard for each other.

“I am also so thankful to the coaching staff and support team for all their hard work, their support, the sacrifices they make and for them always believing in us.”

Harvey has now won three league titles for Thurrock while the club have now been crowned champions at this level eight times.

But Harvey felt Sunday’s score-line did not give a true reflection of the match.

“The score-line doesn’t necessarily reflect how tough the game was,” said Harvey.

“It was a battle from start to finish, with the first 10 minutes being incredibly messy due to both teams knowing the importance of the game.

“But once we settled into our game plan everything started going right for us and our forwards just dominated the game.

“They are our rival team so to beat them at home with a huge crowd there was amazing.

“It was a hugely emotional game for a few of us, as some of us are taking some time out of rugby after this season and for me to finish my captaincy winning the league is something I could only have dreamt off. “

But Thurrock will again be denied the chance to win promotion to the Premiership by the RFU, much to the frustration of Harvey.

“Of course it is frustrating to not have any hopes of getting promoted as it almost feels you’re trying to win the league for no reason,” said Harvey.

“You see other teams winning their leagues and are able to get promoted to the leagues above but we know the deal.

“We have won the league before then won the north v south play-off making us the best team outside the Premiership and still no one notices us.

“But it’s much more than playing to get promoted, it’s about playing a hobby we love with our friends.

“It’s about playing to ensure woman’s rugby continues to be recognised and to also ensure Thurrock T Birds continues to be recognised as a top flight rugby team.”