LEIGH RMI deservedly take all the sporting cheers this week.

Champagne corks popped at the weekend as the Unibond League champions rocketed victory -- and celebrated the best season in the club's 102-year history.

And, for delighted manager Steve Waywell, the jubilant journey home from Saturday's triumphant 3-1 win at Spennymoor was a classic case of "not a Spenny more, not a Spenny less . . ."

RMI had booked their place in next season's Nationwide Conference with two games to spare.

"It was a great journey home from Spennymoor," he said. "But what we have achieved hasn't sunk in yet.

"The team have been tremendous. And to win it with two still to play is a bonus. We can go out and relax and enjoy ourselves instead of going down to the wire."

RMI travel to Worksop on Saturday deep in the knowledge of a job well done.

Waywell added: "The club has come along way in the last five years -- and it is down to our chairman Chris Healey.

"He gave me a four-year contract that has still 12 months to run. He has never put me under any pressure and has been totally loyal. I now want to return that loyalty but I won't be thinking about the Conference for a couple of weeks.

"I would also like to thank the fans who travelled to Spennymoor and made so much noise."

Victory was RMI's 26th league win of the campaign -- a dozen away from Hilton Park.

They took the lead in the 20th minute. Home goalkeeper Phil Naisbat only partially cleared and Ged Kielty's long range header sailed into the net.

Spennymoor had a good chance to level soon afterwards but Paul Zang completely missed Craig Veart's free kick.

RMI extended their lead on the hour when Steve Jones was sent tumbling in the box and Mark Ward scored from the spot.

The Leigh players had to withstand some rough treatment before Zang finished off a smart move with an even smarter header past Dave Felgate.

Substitute Peter Cumisky, on for Brian Ross, combined well with Kielty before Jones stabbed home to clinch the points, promotion and the championship.