Sedgley Park...34pts Stourbridge...24pts: A CLEAR, but very windy day looked to be perfect for rugby, but the wind was blustery -- from quiet to gale force in a moment -- and this led to many passing errors and some unusual touch kicks.

However, it didn't affect Colin Stephens' goal attempts as he kicked six from six.

Stourbridge have not been playing as well as they can, but were better than their recent form, and, with the benefit of the wind, they kept in the game until half-time, when the score was 10-10.

By that time Sedgley had thrown away three clear chances of tries by ignoring supporting players and, on one occasion, being penalised for a double movement as Mike Wilcock marched over the line.

All the power rested with Sedgley, but somehow it wasn't quite switched on and the pack were not quite hunting as a unit.

Indeed, Stourbridge scored first with a break from half-way by Number 8 Scriven, finished off by full-back Hughes and converted by Harvey.

Stephens reduced the deficit with a penalty and after half an hour Paul Arnold ran 40 yards, which is a long way for a lock-forward, after Paul Rees took a clean line-out ball and prop Matt Alcock passed to make the break.

Stephens converted this try and, as Harvey had also put over a penalty, it was all square at the break.

Five minutes into the third quarter Stephens added a further penalty and eight minutes later, afer consistent pressure, Dave McCormack sold a glorious, indeed outrageous, dummy to score by the posts, which Stephens again converted.

That made the scoreline 20 - 10 and Park were on top. Then further pressure on an open line on the right and a long, floated high pass out to the wing was knocked down by Stourbridge centre Feaunati, who was adjudged to have illegally prevented a try. A penalty try was awarded to Sedgley, perhaps a little unfairly. Stephens does not miss conversions under the posts and the score moved to 27 - 10.

Harvey, the Stourbridge out-half, then jinked through the Sedgley defence for a superb solo try, which he converted, and Stour gained in confidence.

However, tremendous pressure by the Sedgley pack got the ball over the try line twice, only to be adjudged held up, and after four or five rucks the ball was eventually spun left for Rob Moon, having his usual great game at full-back, to slip over the line for his try, duly converted by Stephens.

Still Stour came back. Sedgley relaxed and Feaunati cantered in for a late try converted by Harvey.

This was a good win, for Stourbridge have some useful players and some tough ones too. Sedgley had to withstand some very strong tackling, albeit some perhaps higher than is permitted in the laws.

SEDGLEY PARK: R Moon; M Wilcock; C Hassan; S O'Hare; P Morris (R Bullough); C Stephens; D McCormack; M Alcock (R Latham); L Treco (G Roberts); H Thomas; P Arnold; P Rees; R Senior (I Grainey); K Yates; T Fourie.

Tomorrow Sedgley visit Orrell for what may be the game that decides promotion.

Park will need to be at their best for the whole 80 minutes, but having already beaten Orrell at Park Lane, they start with the confidence of knowing that they can win.

Supporters' coaches will be available -- phone Steve Brady on 0161-723 2224 for details.