It’s been a long time coming for Medway to claim national level status and head coach Taff Gwilliam has been there from the start.

Back in 2006 the club rose out of Kent 3, then winning their way through Kent 2, Kent 1, London 3 and London 2 (twice) and dealing with the Covid pandemic before winning promotion at the weekend from London 1 South.

• Report: Medway 22 Horsham 19

“This is the icing on cake,” said the head coach after last weekend’s 22-19 win over Horsham sealed their latest accomplishment.

“All of the promotions have been significant in their own way, because each time we jump a level we have to adjust and we have to improve what we do, but now we can officially say we are a national league club.

“There was relief on Saturday, initially, then a bit of ecstasy, then a bit of reality of the standard of rugby we are going into. It was a real mix of emotions, but the overriding emotion was one of achievement and being proud of what we have done.

“We have come from Kent Division 3 in 2006 and now in National Division 3 in 2022 and it has been a long, gradual process, but one that those of us who have been involved in at the beginning and there now, feel very proud of.

“We have been knocking on the door for many years, to finally do it is significant and we have earned the right to be there.”

Medway’s rise has gone hand in hand with their decision to promote from within, bolstering their squad with homegrown talent which once again has come to the fore this season.

The challenge will be to keep that process going at a higher level, especially with big players such as Sam Garofalo and Dan Harvey announcing plans to retire when the season ends.

Gwilliam said: “It has not been easy, we have had injuries along the way, we are a small squad but the boys dug in and they have done a great job.

“We have had injuries and have injuries currently but it shows the value of developing our youth and the pleasing thing is how many of our young players have come through and are now playing first team players at this level.

“It has been a big focus of ours in recent years, we grow our own because

we have to, it is important and it has really underpinned everything we have done.

“To see someone in their youth and then watch them come into the senior side and to an extent where they can compete at this level is something the club are very proud of.

“We need to continue to develop new players. To lose senior players like that does hurt you but we have got youngsters coming through and we hope that they can rise to meet the challenge.”

There is still plenty to play for this season, however, with three games remaining. Medway are third in the table, 11 points behind leaders Camberley (who have two left to play) and two behind second-placed London Welsh.

Gwilliam said: “We are unbeaten in 2022, we have gone unbeaten at home all season, there is still challenges for us, we do have a depleted squad with a lot of injuries, but that is what squads are about - to rise and meet that challenge and we will certainly be trying.”

On Saturday, Medway are away at Cobham, they hosts leaders Camberley on Saturday, April 9 in front of what should be another big crowd and round off their season at KCS Old Boys on Saturday, April 23.