Mersea Island were crowned Eastern Counties League champions without even kicking a ball.

The Islanders had been set to claim the title on Saturday by playing Dereham at the Youth Camp, but the Norfolk side pulled out of the fixture at the 11th hour and the Islanders were automatically awarded the two points, which they needed to be crowned champions.

Mersea scrum-half Jon Williams said: "It was a strange and somewhat of an anti-climax to win the league in this manner but nonetheless we totally deserved winning the league with only one loss all season so far and still two games in hand.

"It would have been wonderful to clinch the title in front of our loyal home support but I'm sure the celebrations have just been put on ice."