ALLOA RFC president Gary McPhail revealed the club are delighted with how they have adapted to life in the Caledonia League Division One in their first season after promotion.

The club has exceeded all expectations and is sitting pretty at the top of the table, four points ahead of nearest challengers Gordonians.

And according to McPhail, the work of director of rugby Henry Edwards has been a major factor in the club’s rapid rise.

He told Advertiser Sport: “We are delighted with how the season has panned out so far. 

“We could not have asked for more than being top of the league by four points at Christmas, albeit having played two more games than second-placed Gordonians. 

“Following last season’s promotion to Caledonia League Division One, we had ambitious aims to be in the top three of the league and so far we are on course to achieve this.

“We have a relatively young side, but they are developing well under the guidance of former SRU head of performance, Henry Edwards who is our director of rugby.

“Henry has drafted in his brother to coach our backs - Brian is a former Scotland A cap and has vast coaching experience being a former head coach at Stirling County RFC.

“These guys, along with our other management team, are the envy of most clubs in Scotland so it should not really come as a surprise to anyone that our club is improving all of the time.”

As well as a stunning start to the season for the first team, there has been a rise in participation through Alloa’s youth ranks, and the club’s youngsters are enjoying success on the pitch.

McPhail said: “With the help and support of the SRU, Clackmannanshire Sports Development Department and local schools, we have enjoyed an increase in numbers at all age groups within the club and our under 14s and 16s are shaping up to be really good sides, both of whom are unbeaten in the last two months.

“Once again we have a dedicated group of coaches and support staff in our Junior Section who are doing a fantastic job to ensure that these players have a pathway into senior rugby at the club.”

Looking ahead to the rest of the season, McPhail believes his side are more than capable of maintaining their charge at the top of the table, but admitted that they will have to be on top form throughout the rest of the campaign.

He added: “Our next five matches are against the sides immediately below us in the league and if we are to have any chance of winning the league then we need to be taking maximum points. 

“We are under no illusions that this will be easy, but it is something that the players are capable of doing if they increase their efforts for the remainder of the season.”