Medway will be playing national level rugby next season for the first time in their history after securing promotion on Saturday.

A narrow 22-19 win over Horsham ensured promotion for Medway from London Division 1 South and up to National Division 3 from next season.

Head coach Taff Gwilliam admitted the weekend performance wasn’t the best but was delighted to have got over the line.

He said: “It was not one of our best performances and you have to credit Horsham for that. They were excellent at the breakdown and will feel aggrieved not to have come away with more out of the game.

“That said, we are delighted to have secured promotion, it is a great day for the players and the whole club. We have come a long way and can now look forward to testing ourselves at the National level.”

A large crowd turned out to cheer Medway on but the visitors were not willing to roll over.

Horsham went ahead from a converted try after patient play but on 13 minutes Medway replied, driving up field through good ball carrying with Mo Pangarker, Tom Beaumont and Henry Kenny prominent. Horsham conceded a penalty at the breakdown and Dan Harvey kicked a penalty.

A shoulder injury forced Medway no.8 Jordan Stubbington off the field but hooker Billy Humphrey replaced him for his 302nd 1st XV appearance.

The middle of the half saw Horsham dominant and two tries in three minutes, one of which was converted, put Medway’s ambition in serious doubt, trailing 19-3.

Medway claimed some joy just before the break, however. John Sipawa was stopped just short of the try line and the next phase saw Sam Garofalo feed Dan Harvey who stepped inside the defence to run round under the posts. He converted his own try.

The second half was all about Medway establishing control at the set piece. Using the hard won penalties to gain good field position. Billy Sandison, Richard Petch and Jack Nickalls were dominating up front and there was no respite for Horsham when Maik Timmerman replaced Nickalls.

Good field position provided good ball carrying opportunities Henry Kenny, Anthony Clement and Max Bullock kept Medway on the front foot.

Horsham started conceding penalties at the breakdown and Harvey punished them with successful kicks on 46, 56, 59 and 63 minutes to reduce and then overhaul the Horsham lead.

Horsham continued to be competitive in broken play but the Medway stranglehold at the set piece and good defence work particularly by Sean Marriott, Lewis Stimpson, Henry Kenny and Mo Pangarker combined with the back field organisation from Glen Wadsworth ensured that Horsham remained scoreless in the second half.