Sedgley Park...25

Nottingham...16

SEDGLEY stayed in touch with the top two in National League Two with a good win against Nottingham.

Facing the freezing wind, Sedgley survived an early scare when Nottingham were awarded a penalty, but the goal attempt fell short, only to be dropped in front of his posts by player-coach Tim Fourie.

Nottingham were themselves penalised and Sedgley were able to clear.

Colin Stephens kicked a penalty to put the home side ahead after ten minutes, though, not surprisingly, Nottingham were having the better of the game territorially.

With 20 minutes gone Sedgley broke out again. An outstanding passage of play in which forwards and backs dovetailed nicely.

Nottingham killed the ball in front of their posts and Sedgley led 6-0.

The rest of the time was spent deep in Sedgley's half as the big Nottingham pack rumbled forward. The visitors were playing some nice rugby, too, and seemed certain to score when centre Richie Robinson cut through, but an

outstanding tackle by Sion O'Hare denied them the try.

Nottingham scrum half Alan Royer was held up and dispossessed over the line, but Sedgley could not clear against the wind.

Sedgley were getting penalised repeatedly as Nottingham kept up the pressure, and two successful attempts by winger Russell Southam brought the scores level. Sedgley hit back, however, with a wonderful try in first-half

injury time.

Once again forwards and backs combined, Mike Wilcock made the decisive break, and Carlos Hassan, at pace, came off his left foot to wrong-foot several opponents. Stephens converted and Sedgley led 13-6.

Sedgley now had the advantage of the wind, with flurries of hail and sleet, but Southam kicked his third penalty within a minute of the restart and it was clear that the team would have to work for their victory.

Nottingham, with almost all the ball, looked competent rather than penetrative, but were making few errors.

Sedgley finally did manage to get their hands on the ball and immediately created problems for the defence by running hard and straight.

The first attack came to nothing when Stephens was off target with a penalty, but after 20 minutes, Tim Fourie made a half-break, Mike Wilcock provided the link, and Ross Bullough rounded off a 50-metre move.

Conditions underfoot were excellent, despite the awful weather, and suited Sedgley's running game.

A tap penalty, quickly taken by scrum-half Dave McCormack, led to the next try. He made 20 metres, through heavy traffic, with Kern Yates at his shoulder in support.

The flanker was brought down just short and replacement winger Paul Morris was there to complete the try.

Stephens converted and Sedgley led 25-9.

There were signs that Sedgley were beginning to cut loose, but the final try went to the persevering visitors.

Good pressure by the Nottingham pack had Sedgley committed to stopping the drive, then a neatly worked scissors put winger Ben Murphy through to the posts. Southam converted.

SEDGLEY PARK: Wilcock; Bullough, Hassan, Scales, O'Hare (Morris); Stephens, McCormack; Latham (Roberts), Treco (Keyes), Thomas; Arnold, Rees; Senior, Yates (Grainey), Fourie.

No league game this Saturday March 2. The team is away to Kendal on the Saturday March 9.

In the Lancashire Cup quarter-final, Sedgley Park travel to Rochdale on Sunday March 24 (kick-off 3pm).