Micky Macey gave up the chance to go on a rugby tour to Dubai so that he could help Widden Old Boys win promotion to Gloucester Premier.

And while you have to say that Dubai would have been jolly nice at this time of year, he clearly made the right choice as he scored a try in his side’s 34-18 win over Berry Hill.

The bonus-point win was enough to claim the second promotion spot in Gloucester One behind champions Berry Hill – Widden finished one point ahead of Old Colstonians – and chairman David Easterbrook said: “He plays for Gibraltar and he missed out on a three-match week-long tour so that he could play for us.

“He plays in the back row and we call him our international player! He’s a really good lad and it shows his commitment.”

Widden’s other tries were scored by prop Adam Phelps, second row Lewis Bolton, wing Gavin Deane, scrum-half and captain Daniel Rudge and Ben Walker.

If it all looks as though it was fairly comfortable on the day – it was Widden’s ninth successive win – it was anything but, as Easterbrook explained.

“Berry Hill went 7-0 up,” he said. “I’d spoken to their coach Ady Powles before the game and asked if they’d come for a jolly or to play. He said, ‘We’ve come to play, we’ve come to have a good go’.”

By half-time Widden had edged 12-10 ahead and the home side were never headed again, although that was by no means the end of the drama.

“At 3.30pm I discovered that Dursley hadn’t been able to raise a side for their game at Old Colstonians, which means they were automatically awarded five points,” said Easterbrook. “I managed to keep it from the players and the coaches and fortunately it turned out okay in the end because we got our bonus-point win. But I was very nervous at the time.”

Now Widden are planning for life in the higher division and Easterbrook, a former scrum-half who has been chairman for the past seven years, is looking forward to locking horns with the likes of Longlevens, Spartans, Gloucester Old Boys and Hucclecote.

“It’s a good league and it’s our ambition to stay in it,” said Easterbrook, who added that the club were hoping to field a regular 2nd XV next season.