Lancashire Cup semi-final

Sedgley Park...53pts

Manchester...26pts

THE anticipated keen contest never occurred. Relegation-threatened Manchester turned up with their 2nd XV and, although they gave a very good account of themselves, the result of this Lancashire Cup semi-final was never in doubt.

The visitors were first to score, a quickly taken tap-penalty leading to a try for right winger Craig Cooper, converted by Matt Leyden.

Sedgley should have scored shortly afterwards; a patient build-up through several phases created a big overlap on the left, but a poor pass in midfield resulted in a knock-on five metres short of the line.

Twenty minutes had passed before that score came, direct from a line-out. Prop Huw Thomas got the touchdown, Colin Stephens converted and then put Sedgley ahead with a penalty goal.

On the half hour big Jon Scales broke through the centre. He was tackled just short of the line, but, with several

Manchester defenders having been needed to stop the charge, Mike Wilcock had an unopposed stroll to the right corner. Stephens again converted.

Manchester hit back immediately through their impressive backs, Cooper once again the scorer after swift handling. But Stephens kicked another penalty and, on half-time, powerful play by the Sedgley pack brought a try for lock Willie Stockdale; the conversion made it 27-12 at the interval.

Sedgley's superiority was confirmed with three more converted tries in the opening stages of the second half. Tim Fourie went over from a tap-penalty, then left-wing Stuart Oldham touched down Stephens's delicate little grub

kick to the corner.

Manchester were pressing when centre Carlos Hassan made

the interception and raced 80 metres to the posts; 48-12.

Manchester may have been outgunned, but they had turned up to play rugby, a successful side at their own level and with confidence high.

It was entirely fitting that they should score two converted tries in the closing stages, a good one by full-back Dan Wyatt and a stroll-in for flanker James White who evaded three weak tackles. Leyden added the two goals.

In between, Sedgley picked up another from an interception, Sam Jennings taking the pass and cleverly feeding young Oldham who ran 70 metres to score.

Colin Stephens had kicked eight goals from eight attempts, but now, from the touchline, he managed only to hit an upright.

In the final on Bank Holiday Monday May 6, Sedgley meet Fylde, who beat West Park in their semi-final match.

SEDGLEY PARK: P Roberts; Wilcock (Jennings), Scales, Hassan (Wilkinson), Bullough (Oldham); Stephens, McCormack; G Roberts, Treco (Keyes), Thomas (Latham); Arnold (Fletcher), Stockdale; Senior, Grainey (Taylor), Fourie.

Next Sunday, April 28th, Park Lane is the venue for the Roses match, Lancashire v Yorkshire, with several Sedgley players representing the Red Rose.

On the same day, at Preston Grasshoppers, Sedgley Park's under 15 and under 16 sides will be in action in the Lancashire Junior Cup finals.

On Saturday May 12th, Broughton Park play Rochdale at Park Lane in the Lancashire Trophy final.