West London Sharks coach Louise Latter has won an RFL award for having a 'lasting impact' on rugby league in the area.

She and 16 others were recognised for their efforts in promoting the game's grassroots in the RFL London and South annual volunteer awards.

They were presented to the Twickenham Stoop crowd at half-time of the Harlequins Rugby League versus Bradford Bulls clash last Sunday.

Latter, who used to play rugby union for Wasps' Women, is assistant coach and secretary at Osterleybased Sharks.

She stepped into the breach and took over as head coach for a difficult season last year after Mark Barnes left for Super League side Hull Kingston Rovers.

But with Barnes back this year, Latter and Sharks have flourished, and have just completed their Rugby League Conference South Premier season unbeaten.

This Saturday, they will play either Portsmouth Navy Seals or old rivals South London Storm in the South play-off final at their home in McFarlane Lane.

The winners will then go on to feature in the Regional Final, and then the Grand Final if successful in that. Meanwhile, two other rugby league volunteers from the area were also recognised by the RFL at the same event. Whitton Warriors' Catherine Hughes was given the New Volunteer award, while Feltham Community College's James Lawson was named Coach of the Year.

Dan Steel, Harlequins Rugby League's development manager, paid tribute to the volunteers.

He said: "Without those volunteers that work so hard out in the community, our game wouldn't be growing and strengthening the way it is, and it's great to see the RFL recognising these individuals for their dedication to our sport." [25a0] Two West London Sharks teams will be going for play-off glory on Saturday after the Second XV beat Southampton Spitfires 26-12 in their semi-final. Steve Burkhill bagged two tries, including one after an 80m dash, while Machar Smith, Brett Goldings, Ciaran Clement-Pascall and Thomas Orishuganu also crossed the try-line for Sharks.

Sharks Ladies suffered their first defeat in four years, 22-12 at Coventry,but still won their league on points difference.