Old Paulines club captain Matthew Preece reckoned the club was prepared for life in London Division Three South West after winning promotion on Saturday.

The Thames Ditton-based club won 29-11 at Hampshire Division One runners-up Fordingbridge in the county league play-offs at the weekend to earn a return to the London leagues.

The Old Boys last won promotion in 2009, but were relegated to Surrey Division One in 2010 with only four league wins to their name.

But Preece reckoned the current crop of players are more then capable of holding their own this time around.

“The last time we were in the league above we used more than 70 players in the first team,” he said.

“This time, there has been better commitment and a greater sense of unity throughout the team.

“When you think we had to win our last six games last season to avoid relegation to Division Two, that makes this a magnificent achievement.

“The club is ecstatic.”

Old Paulines needed a losing bonus point against champions London Exiles on the season’s final day to pip neighbours Old Tiffinians to the play-off spot.