The Clayton RFC Bootleggers have earned their shot at silverware.
After an impressive campaign defined by consistency, resilience, and a growing sense of belief, Clayton’s men’s side has advanced to the Carolinas Rugby Union Division 4 Championship. The Bootleggers face Triad RFC on April 11th at Martha Rivers Park in Gastonia, NC, with both the title and promotion to Division 3 on the line.
It’s a moment that has been building all season.
Clayton closed out the regular season with a 12–2 overall record, including a perfect 8–0 mark in league play. Their only setbacks came in two non-league matches against Tobacco Road, but when it came to the games that mattered most, the Bootleggers were flawless.
That undefeated league run didn’t happen by accident. It was the product of a squad that bought into a shared vision from the very beginning.
“From day one the lads set a goal to be the best in the division,” said Club President Peter Nalley. “We pushed through injuries, fatigue, and pressure because we believed in each other. Going undefeated in league play wasn’t the goal. It was a byproduct of our commitment to each other and to doing the small things right, every day.”
That mindset has been evident in the way Clayton has navigated the ups and downs of a long season. Injuries and player availability challenges are part of any club campaign, but the Bootleggers have met those moments head-on. New players stepped into the fold and contributed meaningful minutes, adding depth and energy to the squad at critical points.
It’s that collective effort with veterans leading, new players stepping up, and everyone buying into the system that has carried the Bootleggers to this point.
Head Coach Walter Webster added, “We began this journey with a meeting last spring to set goals for this season. Over the summer and all season long, the men have trained and steadily worked toward having this opportunity. We have one more week to train and prepare for a tough test. This coming game is the culmination of a year-long effort by the men, and we cannot wait for the chance to compete for the championship this weekend.”
For the players, the journey has been about more than results on the scoreboard. It has been about the environment built around them.
“We’re really proud of what we’ve built together this season, but none of it happens without the full club behind us… The coaches, the supporters, everyone at the club,” said the squad’s leading scorer Ben Roach. “We know this weekend will be our toughest test yet, a familiar foe, Triad. The preparation has been great and we can’t wait for it.”
Standing in their way is that familiar opponent.
Triad RFC will be looking to turn the tables after the two sides met last month, when the Bootleggers traveled on the road and came away with a convincing 36–14 victory. While that result provides confidence, the squad knows that finals rugby is a different challenge altogether.
Championship matches have a way of resetting the narrative. Past results don’t win titles, your performance on the day does.
Still, there is a quiet confidence within the squad. They’ve done the work. They’ve been tested. And they’ve proven they can deliver.
Beyond the immediate goal of lifting the D4 trophy, there is even more at stake.
A victory on April 11th would secure automatic promotion back into Division 3, marking a return to the level where Clayton’s 1st XV competed from 2015 through 2022, reaching the playoffs in 2018 and 2019. It’s a milestone the club has had its sights set on since the opening whistle of the season.
From preseason conversations to weekly training sessions, the objective has been clear: win the league and earn the right to move back up.
Now, it all comes down to one match.
For a club built on community, commitment, and steady growth, this moment represents more than just a final. It’s the reflection of the culture being built at Clayton RFC. A culture where players show up for each other, where standards are set and upheld, and where success is earned through hard work and shared purpose.
On April 11th in Gastonia, the Bootleggers will have the opportunity to turn that culture into silverware and take the next step forward as a club.
