SEDGLEY PARK bid to lift the Lancashire Cup for the first time in their history at Preston Grasshoppers ground on Monday.

Park face Fylde in the final with several reasons for optimism. During the National Two league campaign just ended, Sedgley won 22-19 at Fylde back in December, though it required a last-minute drop-goal from Colin Stephens to give his team maximum points.

It was a little easier at Park Lane a few weeks ago as Sedgley took the honours 37-15.

The Sedgley team will be mindful of the power of Fylde's big pack and will hope for good conditions for a running game.

Park are likely to field a similar side to the one that defeated Manchester in the semi-final, although there is a slight doubt over Paul Rees, who has a knee injury, as has forward Carlos Hassan. Ross Bullough is definitely out with a hamstring problem, but winger Mike Wilcock, who also has a hamstring injury, trained in the week and is given an outside chance of making the final.

Several of the Sedgley players have county games on Saturday. Stephens is playing for Yorkshire, as he lives in the county, while South African forward Tim Fourie is turning out for Lancashire.

"I just hope everybody comes through those county games without any problems with a view to the final on Monday," said Stephens.

"We have our usual end-of-season crop of injuries and niggles, but we hope to put out a strong side against Fylde. It will include a mixture of Colts, second team and first team players."