THE champagne corks were popped on Saturday as Salisbury RFC are heading for the National League.

The Green and Whites celebrated the South West play-off final victory over Thornbury.

They edged a mouthwatering final 26-24 thanks to a last-gasp penalty kick from Tom Lane.

The full-back stepped up when the hosts were trailing 24-23, after missing two kicks, to convert over the posts.

It marked a monumental effort for the Castle Road outfit, who won last year's Southern Counties play-off final against Aylesbury.

Talking to JournalSport on back-to-back promotions was chairman Richard Larcombe.

He said: "It means an awful lot to us."

"This is the third time in the last five or six years we've been in this situation. We lost the first one against Barnstaple and drew against Avonmouth a few years ago but as they were the away side they went through. So this was our third crack at it and the lads worked tremendously hard.

And on Saturday we just did enough.

"I think looking back, without being harsh on Thornbury, we played more of the rugby and I think it was just about a fair result.

"I'm very proud on how all the boys and coaches have worked, because it has been hard for us.

"I'm delighted and looking forward to next year."