LIVERPOOL ST.HELENS...10, SEDGLEY PARK...14: IN what was a fairly scrappy Lancashire Cup semi-final, Saints must be congratulated for sticking to their game plan of disrupting so much of Sedgley's game.
The gap between the two clubs - Saints play in National League Three North, the one below Park - was not that evident, although Park did only start with five regular first teamers.
Saints began the game at pace but Park managed to contain them, until the home side took the lead with a penalty.
But Park hit back with a try from James Voortman, younger brother of first team centre Ian Voortman, although the match announcer gave it to Jim Naylor.
It came from a sparkling left to right move which flowed 50 metres down the Moss Lane pitch before Voortman touched down.
Saints were benefiting from a secure source of possession, due to their unlikely domination of the line-outs, helped in part by Park's technical indiscretions, which led to a string of penalties.
Trailing 5-3, Saints snatched the lead back with a try from a close quarter ruck and maul move. The conversion extending that lead to 10-5.
But two Ryno Ueckermann penalties before half time ensured Park went in for the break with an 11-10 lead.
The South African's trusty right boot slotted over a third penalty kick in the second half, and it was enough to give Park a narrow 14-10 victory.
When Park did have the ball they always looked dangerous and, despite the close scoreline, never looked like losing at any stage, although Saints had their moments and ran them close.
Park will now face Vale of Lune in the final, scheduled for Saturday May 23, at Preston Grasshoppers' Lightfoot Green ground.
However, the game may be brought forward and played midweek as a night match.
SEDGLEY: Moonie, Bullough, Naylor, J.Voortman, Stephens, Ueckermann, Wilkinson, Fryer, Holmes, Collie, Arnold, Lund, Stockdale, Lloyd, Senior. Replacements: McCormack, Campbell, Pinnick, Oxley, Leader, Clegg, Livesey.
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