Two Old Patesians stalwarts bowed out in champion style on Saturday.

Prop Teddy Saunders and scrum-half Darren Moore, who have been putting their bodies on the line for the club for many, many years, played their last game for newly crowned South West One East champions in the 34-7 win at Oxford Harlequins.

That victory confirmed that the Pats will be playing in South West Premier next season, after leading South West One East pretty much from day one in the campaign just ended.

“It’s a great way for them to bow out,” said club captain Connor Thompson of the two retiring players.

“Teddy first started playing for the Pats 18 years ago and Darren has been with the club for 14 years.

“They’ve put so much into the club over the years and it’s good for them to sign off on such a high, not many players retire as champions of their division.”

Thompson, a prop who has been with the Pats since 2009, has seen at close quarters the influence that the two players have had at the club.

“Teddy has been brilliant,” he added. “He’s a very old school prop and he’s always looking to improve.

“He’s always talking about scrummaging and he’s been brilliant to play alongside.”

Thompson went on as a 30th-minute replacement at Harlequins after Saunders damaged his shoulder, and he has been equally impressed by Moore over the years.

“He’s your stereotypical scrum-half,” said Thompson. “As a forward I enjoyed being told what to do by him and he certainly did that!

“After 60 minutes when you’re not thinking straight, he told you where to go.

“He was a very good player who could control a game. His service was very good and so was his box kicking.”

While those two players won’t be around for the stern challenges that lie ahead next season, Thompson is confident that Pats will be okay at the higher level.

It’s a level he has played at before with the Pats and he said: “I think we will be fine. We’ve shown this year that we’ve got a big squad – we’ve used 40 players – and it is a squad game these days.

“There will be a few additions as well so, yes, I am confident.”