Battersea Ironsides skipper Colin O’Keeffe praised his team-mates after they broke new ground in reaching the regional semi-final of the RFU National Junior Vase.

A 17-7 win at West Norfolk on Saturday means the Ironsides are just three wins from a date at Twickenham.

Not only is it the first time the Earlsfield-based club has reached this stage, they are also the only remaining Surrey side in the competition.

O’Keeffe said: “This is a historic step forward for the Battersea Ironsides rugby club.

“We’ve broken new ground with this win getting us to the last four of the regional division, three wins away from playing at Twickenham.

“It’s a position the club has never been in before “We are looking forward to the next round, whoever that is against.”

He added: “I must thank each player for their exceptional attitude and also to our coaches, director of rugby and manager who prepared us for the game.”

Ironsides will face either Newmarket, Seaford, Old Gravesendians or Billericay come February 22.

At West Norfolk, tries from Ash Hallett and Jamie Absalom, plus seven points from Ben Mott’s boot, saw Ironsides through.

They return to league action in Surrey One on Saturday with a trip to third-placed Old Wimbledonians.