DOUBLE-winning boss Keith Whatling insists Hamworthy Recreation are committed to breaking through the Dorset Premier League's glass ceiling.

Champions Rec successfully defended the DPL Cup by cruising to a 3-0 triumph over Mere on Saturday courtesy of first-half goals from Dominic Allen, Max Wilcock and Aaron Stacey.

Despite a ninth county championship in 22 years, the Hamworthy Club outfit could not apply for promotion to the Sydenhams Wessex League without installing floodlights and making other improvements to their headquarters.

But on the back of their latest triumph, Whatling revealed the club had set the wheels in motion to try to progress beyond English football's 11th tier for the first time.

Discussing the prospect of promotion, Whatling told the Daily Echo: "We definitely want to progress but we can't put a timescale on things until we all get together. We're all due to meet up over the summer and no doubt it will be on the agenda.

"Our first job is the work on the pitch because we have had a few problems with drainage over the years. Beyond that, we are looking at grants and the availability of floodlights because that is the one thing that is really holding us back.

"The chairman is working on those matters because the funding required for some of these things is ridiculous and I know the club is working very hard to try and get things moving.

"For me, it's now a case of working on the squad but we are quite lucky in that respect because there are a few top players who want to come back after being injured or unavailable last season. Fingers crossed, it should be an easier summer."

Rec secured the silverware with three quick-fire goals in 27 minutes with Whatling surprised at how Mere chose to line up on the day.

He added: "It was a funny old game to be honest. We had a lot of players out through suspension or being cup tied and at the start of the week I only had one substitute.

"The way they started was quite odd. They kicked off playing 3-4-3 and the game was over within 10 minutes. Normally, cup finals are quite cagey but we had so much space high up the pitch that we managed to kill it off early.

"With the players we had missing we were expecting a really tough game but Mere got the tactics badly wrong on the day. We were so shocked but it made for a good day for us, I didn't need any heart pills to get me through for a change!"

Rec held their annual presentation evening back at the club with Kane Andrews named manager's player of the year, while Rikki Walden was voted top dog by the players and supporters.

Rec: Knights, Ross, Stacey, Walden, Hatchard, Manuel (Warren), Andrews, Brennan, Allen (Midson), Falco (Pinder), Wilcock.