Epping Upper Clapton secured the London 3 Essex league title with a resounding 80-7 win over eighth-placed Old Cooperians.

James Hack went over for three of Clapton’s 11 tries, there were braces for Des Griggs, Mitch Sinfield and George Douglass, while Russ Hume, Will Parrish and Reece Reed added further scores, with Reed also converting nine of the tries.

The result sees Clapton crowned with three fixtures remaining in what has been an entirely dominant season from them.

They have developed as a team across the campaign, starting as a side that based their games around a dominant set-piece and morphing into a team that now plays faster and is more support-based, meaning that in this game in particular their speed and intensity was just too much for the opponent.

Over 30 players have contributed to the club’s success this season, some coming through the ranks at the youth sides and others having gained experience at the club over a number of years, and the team are adamant that pride rather than complacency will spur them on for the final three games.

Their next challenge could potentially be their toughest of the season as they travel to second-placed East London, who seem to have the runners-up spot all but secured.

That game will take place on Saturday, March 23.