JAMES Brown paid tribute to Cecil Duckworth after the National One title was clinched.

The fly half summed up the affection within the championship squad for the chairman who has ploughed in millions to realise the vision of Premiership rugby for Sixways.

"It's a fantastic achievement for the players and everyone involved," he said. "It's great for the supporters but it's wonderful for Cecil Duckworth.

"He's put the time, the effort and, as everyone else comments, he's put the money in. It's great for me, on a personal note, that I was able to be part of it and make it happen.

"I was brought to do a job and it's important to me to be able to do that after missing much of last season through injury."

Brown was also, however, aware of the speculation linking Stephen Larkham to Sixways. Not the best way to cap a promotion weekend perhaps but Brown is not about to give up his shirt without a fight.

"He's a great player but all I can do is keep on playing well and make sure I get offered a contract when the time comes around," he said.

"I've played in the majority of the games this season and we've won the title so I think I've done my job. It's up to the coaches now if they feel I can do a job in the Premiership.

"I played three years there and have recognition at England level so I'm confident in myself at the top level.

"If Larkham comes to Worcester then he'd have to do a job. We've seen a lot of previous World Cup winners go to clubs and they haven't come up with the goods. If he comes here and I stay on and Tommy Hayes stays on then he's got to move him out of the number 10 slot as well and he's not going to shift that easily."

Skipper Tony Windo was also on top of the world after another ultra consistent season. The 34-year-old prop has started every National One game in this campaign and was delighted to finish off the job in style.

"I think that made it all the more special," he said. "The performance really set up the celebrations and it was just a day to remember.

"It was my fifth season of trying and that, in a sense, makes it all the better because we were all so desperate to make it.

"To be captain as well was such an honour and I think all the squad have to take so much credit because they've been totally focused on one goal.

"I'm pleased particularly for Neil Lyman. He's been at the club so many years. It's amazing he's kept going that long!"