A CHISWICK rugby league club have become the best Conference-level side in the country in their very first season.

South West London Chargers, who play at Chiswick RFC, were only formed last year as a merger between West London Sharks and South London Storm, and having won the London Premier League Grand Final, the Chargers qualified for the Harry Jepson Trophy, which pits together all the best teams from various regions.

Having won through a quarter-final and a semi-final, Chargers faced Gateshead Storm in the national final at Coventry RFC's Butts Arena on Sunday. Chargers might be a new club – but with their forerunners' names both etched on the trophy – West London Sharks having won it in 2009 and South London Storm in 2006 – they were certainly no rookies.

Props Adam Tran and Mark Clune led the way for Chargers, laying the foundations for hooker and half back combination Nathan Coughtry and Matt Stone to dominate proceedings.

as built a decisive 14-point lead at the start of the second half.

Chargers drew first blood too when Tran opened the scoring with a try wide on the left, but after Gateshead hot back with two tries to go in front, Tala Petelo put in David Wojciewockz to scored by the posts and Coughtry’s conversion put Chargers in front.

There was still time before the interval for Stone to bag the first of his two tries, Coughtry converting to make it 16-8 at half time, and Chargers struck again four minutes in to the second half as Tran’s offload put Ben Hird over on the right.

Gateshead stayed in contention with a try, and although Chargers edged further ahead when Stone touched down after the ball bounced back from the posts, Coughtry again converting, Gateshead cut the deficit with a converted try.

Coughtry eased the pressure with a penalty 10 minutes from time, and despite a late Gateshead try, Chargers held on. Given that the sides finished level on tries, Coughtry’s boot was to prove the difference, and he took the man of the match award.