Champions

Apr 24 2003 Christopher Beesley, Ellesmere Port Pioneer

THE West Cheshire League Championship returned to Rivacre Park for the first time since 1995 on Saturday as Vauxhall Reserves clinched the title with a 2-0 win over Newton.

The victory, their 12th in a row, ensured neither Poulton Victoria or Cammell Laird could catch the Motormen who had taken top spot with a game to spare.

Manager Steve Leyland, who has steered the team to glory in his first full season in charge, was delighted with their spirit throughout the campaign.

He said: 'Since September we've won 16 and drawn two of our 18 matches and it's been an amazing run of form.

'I'm fortunate to have such a good set of play-ers and everyone gets on.

'Winning isn't a habit you can take for granted but even though we'd done so well over the last few months I was very nervous for the team on Saturday. Although we didn't play well we still managed to get the all-important result.'

Leyland, who took over Vauxhall's West Cheshire League hotseat in December 2001 when previous boss Gary Evason had to step down due to work commitments, is hoping the title win will herald a new era of success at the club.

He said: 'We were fourth from the bottom when I was appointed but since then everyone has worked hard to turn things around.

'To finish above Cammell Laird and Poulton Victoria's first teams is a tremendous achievement but we're hoping to build on what we've done this year.

'Many of my players are technically good enough to make the step up into the UniBond League squad, they just need more experience.

'I don't know what Alvin McDonald's plans are for next season but I suspect he will sit down with me at some point to discuss which members of the squad might be ready to progress into the senior side.'