HARWICH and Dovercourt Rugby Club have missed out on promotion after losing their play-off showdown at Colchester.

However, outgoing coach Shane Manning has praised his players for a performance that showed their "ability, passion and talent" - and thanked them for making him proud in his final game in charge.

Colchester sneaked a tense 19-17 victory in Saturday's winner-takes-all contest and now move up to the top division in the Eastern Counties League.

In contrast, Manning admitted the defeat hurt his players - but said he could not ask for more, given his team's lack of preparation.

"The boys played their hearts out and that's all you can ask," he said.

"We were told there was not going to be a promotion game, but then a month after the season had finished we are given a week's notice that we'd be playing Colchester.

"Considering we hadn't trained for a month and had a few guys missing, we went so close to causing a major upset.

"Colchester deserved their victory and will push for top honours next year, in division one.

"For my guys, the loss really hurt but there were some awesome individual performances.

"Paul Sewell played with a torn calf and Simon Palmer was just an animal.

"Sean Mills junior stepped in at ten at the last minute and was fantastic.

"Those performances sum up the ability, passion and talent that's in the club."

Manning felt his side deserved credit for making the game a joy to watch and being in it as long as they were, given their lack of preparation.

And he says they can now enjoy their off-season before launching another attack on promotion.

However, he will not be involved as he is stepping down as coach.

"Hopefully the club can push on and really press to get into those higher leagues," he said.

"As it was my last game as head coach, I'd like say a big thank you to everyone I coached and also anyone who supported the club during my five seasons in charge."