WALLINGFORD coach Chris Norrington was quick to praise former player Simon Henderson after his side lifted the Oxfordshire Shield.

Henderson rejoined the club as forwards coach three weeks ago after a spell at National Division 3 South side Reading and is now committed to Wallingford.

Norrington said: "Simon has already made a big impact and you could see it with our forward work against Gosford."

Henderson said: "I'm here next season and I will be helping Chris to get the most out of the team.

"All I've done so far is getting them to keep things tighter.

"In the line-outs they had been lifting holding the shorts, but we are now holding the legs, which is much more effective.

"Gosford made so many mistakes on Saturday because we were keeping the pressure on them as a unit."

Saturday's victory at Iffley Road caps a decent season for Wallingford, who should also finish fourth in the BB&O Premier Division.

And considering they lost a potential four points after being unable to field a side against Phoenix in December, they could have been in the promotion shake-up.

But Norrington feels his side don't really deserve to be higher in the league.

"We've not beaten the top teams in the league and that says it all," he said.

"We've lost twice to Newbury Stags and twice to Milton Keynes, although we have beaten Bicester.

"We are still a young team, who will get better and we'll look to do better next season."