Rugby Union: Sedgley's revenge mission

There was no doubt that Park were the better side but Bracknell provided very resilient defence and indeed it was penalties that won the game as each side only managed one try each.

Bracknell scored their try at the very start: only 90 seconds had passed when out-half Hallet touched down having fielded a poor clearance kick and ghosted his way through the Sedgley defence.

That was Sedgley's only gift and Bracknell did not score again.

Before half-time Ryno Ueckermann had slotted three penalties but this was poor reward for the continuous pressure exerted by the visitors, especially one glorious run by Tim Fourie.

However, vital last passes went to ground and there was always that magnificent Bracknell defence.

In the second period Ross Bullough ran half the length of the field but lost the ball; Dave McCormack had similar bad luck. But gradually the superior Sedgley fitness took control, although it was only on 80 minutes that Ueckermann could add his fourth penalty.

There had been many stoppages, the referee rightly added ten minutes of extra time and in those minutes both teams had their chances.

Bracknell intercepted but had a kick through charged down. Sedgley intercepted but lost the ball, with McCormack regaining possession and running 40 metres with Gareth Roberts on his shoulder to finish the move off with the try that sealed victory.

Without reaching their very best form Sedgley were more than competent. The front row of Roberts, Oxley and Thomas made the platform and Senior, Lloyd and Fourie led the cavalry.

With McCormack and Ueckermann probing the Bracknell defence it is difficult to understand why the victory was not more emphatic, and on that score one can only praise the standard of the home team's defence.

SEDGLEY: Roberts, Bullough, De Jager, Hassan, Lowden, Ueckermann, McCormack, Roberts, Thomas, Oxley, Fourie, Swart, Lloyd, Yates, Senior. Subs: Keys, Livesey, Pinnock, Wilkinson