There have been plenty of thrills and spills, particular for our area's highest profile teams; Diss RFC, Diss Town and Harleston Magpies.

All three clubs' bids to gain promotion went right to the wire but, unfortunately, it was only the rugby team which was able to get over the line.

After fighting relegation last season, the team showed great resilience under the new management of Henry Lind and Gavin Brock to finish runners-up in London Three North-East and then, when the pressure was on, obliterate Imperial Medicals in the play-off final.

Diss Town's fate went to the final game but despite winning at rivals Hadleigh, promotion back to the Ridgeons League Premier Division at the first attempt was missed by a solitary point.

The team my heart really goes out to though is Harleston Magpies men.

After just missing out on winning the East League Premier A title for the past two seasons, when top spot meant automatic promotion to the National League, Magpies finally won the championship with 21 wins out of 22, only to be put in the play-offs because of a league re-structure.

After a five-game play-off series the team finished joint-top but were ranked third because of an inferior goal difference with only the top two going up.

It was a bitter pill to swallow but at least consolation was earned with promotion to the elite indoor league earlier in the year.

When you also consider Debenham LC's FA Cup run, former Mackenders favourite Dan Hipkiss making the Rugby World Cup final and Diss' Matthew Upson being recalled to the England football team, it has been an amazing year for our sporting stars.

Not bad for such a small rural area.

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