Falmouth RFC head coach Graham Whitmore hailed his side's mid-table finish in the Tribute Western Counties West as a "good achievement".

After narrowly escaping relegation on the final day of the 2017/18 season, there were no such fears this time around for the Eagles, who won 12 of their 26 games this season to secure a seventh-place finish, five places higher than 12 months ago.

Whitmore said: "I'm really satisfied with the outcome of the season. Having been at the heart of the relegation battle last year I thought it was particularly heartening that we were effectively safe with four or five matches to go and to finish in seventh place was a good achievement.

"Twelve wins, including wins against Wadebridge, Tiverton and St Austell and a draw against second-paced Crediton, showed the progression we'd made as a side, and using almost 50 players during the season showed real depth within the squad."

Whitmore put his side's second-season improvement down to two factors; the experience that his players gained from their first season back in 2017/18 and regular rugby for their second string.

"Having stayed in the league last season, the experience that the guys got from that meant each game wasn't such a formidable task," Whitmore said. "We got used to playing at some of the venues, we'd played there before so it wasn't a new experience for the lads.

"The second marked effect was the fact that our second team have played 25 matches this season and bringing in second-team players who are regularly training with the first-team squad, they understand the shape of the game, our defensive shape, our attacking shape.

"The fact that they're playing week in, week out within our systems, when the second team payers came into the side they fitted in really well and we still stayed pretty competitive."

Planning has already begun at the Rec for continuing their improvement next season with front row Joe Martin and utility Joe Skuse signing for the club, while prop Liam Barkwill has made his loan from Camborne permanent.

Aside from additional personnel, Whitmore is also hoping for additional points on the road, with the Eagles having lost ten of their 13 matches away from the Rec in 2018/19.

"We must make sure that we're more competitive than we have been when we're on the road," he said. "And to consolidate on our home performances as well and make sure that we are tough to beat at home."

Falmouth will be joined by local rivals Penryn in the 2019/20 Western Counties West for the first time, after the Borough were promoted as champions of the Cornwall/Devon League.

"I think both clubs will relish the opportunity of the local derby," Whitmore said. financially great for both sides and for the spectators as well.

"It was saddening that Truro were relegated because that would have been another great local derby but to have Penryn in the league with us, that adds to an extra bit of spice to the campaign."