STUDENTS from Seevic College’s women’s rugby team have high hopes of securing a national crown this month.

The team are already East Region champions and head to Bath University at the end of March for the British Colleges (BCS) national finals.

And the women are also through to the semi-final of the BCS Cup.

Coach Perry Sansom said: “The girls have come a long way since last season and we now have a strong, well-developed squad that are improving weekly.

“We are ever growing in numbers and the standard is very high.

“Our main focus this year is the British Colleges national finals, of which we will be definite competitors for a medal, and we are hoping to progress to the final of the BCS cup.”

The BCS national finals are for teams of 10 and take place between March 30 and April 1.

Seevic will be up against the winners from the North East, North West, Welsh, East Midlands, West Midlands, South East, South West and Yorkshire & Humberside regions.

The team reached the semi-finals of the BCS Cup after beating East Norfolk College 10-5 in extra time.

Seevic College is based in Kiln Road, Thundersley, and is part of one college that also comprises New Campus Basildon.