Newly-crowned Devon Football League N&E champions Beer Albion 1sts were given a guard of honour and treated to rapturous applause from 200 spectators as manager Mark Rooke led his team out at the Furzebrake for their final league game of the season against last season's winners, University of Exeter 1sts, writes Richard Honnor.

The game itself ended in a 1-1 draw with nothing to choose between the two excellent sides who served up some fine flowing football.

Both goals came late in the game. Uni took the lead on 77 minutes with a perfectly struck 20-yard free kick into the top left-hand corner. Then, with just five minutes remaining, the Fishermen equalised after Giles Basson's pinpoint cross was headed home by Liam Cox. The goal was a fitting end to a wonderful season.

After the final whistle, club aponsor Steve Light, of Edenvale Turf (SW) Ltd, presented the DFL trophy and winners' medals to the Beer team and then the club celebrated their team's achievements in fine style.

The Fishermen will now be hoping to achieve the double by winning the final of the DFL Cup against Plymouth-based Mount Gold next Saturday (May 6) at Barnstaple Town FC. It will be a tough challenge but the Fishermen will not be short of support as in excess of 100 Beer fans will be at the game. Kick off is at 3pm.