WEYMOUTH & Portland co-coach Simon Litster was delighted to “end the season on a high” after his side escaped relegation to Dorset & Wilts Two South.

The Seahorses won all four of their final games with bonus points to finish ninth, two places above the drop zone.

Speaking after a 31-7 win over Swanage & Wareham Seconds, Litster credited his side for their willingness to improve.

He told Echosport: “Certainly in the last four weeks, Dave Oaksford becoming captain has been a bit of a catalyst.

“The attitude of the players is really good. Certainly players that were playing second-team rugby last year have improved their fitness and their game.

“A lot of players have asked us what they can do to improve. It seems to have worked and they can take a good rest now.

“It’s really good to end the season on a high and actually shows what Weymouth can do, it was excellent.”

Litster is joint-coach with Anthony Cowburn, and the former revealed the pair had to remain resolute during a winter that yielded a spell of eight successive losses.

He said: “Anthony and myself have really stuck at it. It was really tough, especially in the winter months, and the mood was pretty down – unfortunately negativity creeps in.”