Streatham-Croydon RFC were last week named as one of 15 nationwide winners of the RFU Presidents XV Awards.

The Croydon-based club won the community links category due to the role they have played within the community, including being closely involved with schools, becoming a member of the Croydon Sport for Change Network and hosting Sky Television’s School of Hard Knocks programme.

The club, who have minis and ladies teams, will receive £500 as their reward for being chosen by a panel of judges who were looking to honour associations around the country that promote rugby at grassroots level.

“It’s been a phenomenal year for entries,” said RFU president Willie Wildash.

“As ever, the competition was fierce and the quality of entries this year was very high and this made life difficult for the panel of judges.

“These clubs are the heart and soul of rugby and it’s wonderful to be able to acknowledge and appreciate the hard work put in by all the volunteers involved.”

Meanwhile, on the pitch, the club battled from behind with 25 minutes to go to engineer a 17-15 quarter-final victory against St George College.

Second-half tries from Owen Howells and Aaron Brown combined with the latter converting both proved enough to turn the tie around and send them into the semi-finals.

Streatham-Croydon turn their attentions back to their league title charge this weekend when they travel to third-placed Economicals knowing a victory would secure them the title and promotion to Surrey Two.