SEDGLEY Park Rugby Club is geared up for a huge game this Saturday as league leaders, Stourbridge, visit Park Lane.

Last Saturday's match against Tynedale was the victim of the foot and mouth scare, but the one game that was played in the league could have a big bearing on the promotion race. New Brighton lost 20-8 at Nuneaton, so Sedgley now know that by winning all six remaining league games, they are assured of second place and a promotion play-off.

There was no lack of entertainment for Sedgley supporters as, on Friday, the club hosted its first international match between the University students of England and Scotland, an exciting game which the lads in white won 33-10 after trailing 10-7 at half-time.

LANCASHIRE CUP

Quarter-final

PRESTON GRASSHOPPERS...24

SEDGLEY PARK...33

SEDGLEY secured a home semi-final against Aldwinians after edging out Preston Grasshoppers in a close-fought game on Sunday.

Sedgley settled quicker and were soon pressing. Lock, Paul Arnold, set up the position from which Sion O'Hare made a half break, just failing to get the ball out to Pete Roberts. Another Arnold drive, a switch of direction by Taui Seymour, and Pete Roberts' long pass found Anthony Bentham unmarked on the left wing, an easy try for him.

A Preston scrum on Sedgley's 22 was the prelude to some fine rugby as Ricky Whitehouse took the ball against the head. Dan Hogg carried to half-way before the backs took over. Bentham kicked ahead but was felled by a quite disgraceful high and late tackle, for which the offender was lucky to receive 10 minutes only. Moments later, Roberts increased Sedgley's lead with a penalty goal and the team continued to play good rugby. Preston were looking disorganised at this stage, kicking away possession regularly. Five minutes of the first half remained when the home side mounted their first serious attack, but Sedgley's defence held and the team broke out to score. From a line-out, a practised move had first Arnold and then prop, Andy Losty, charging for the line. The try was completed by Hogg, between the posts, and converted by Roberts.

At half time, a score of 15-0 became 20-0 two minutes later. Arnold and Losty were involved strongly yet again in a good build-up. Preston finally ran out of tacklers and O'Hare scored. It all looked so easy.

But, suddenly, Preston started to play -- and play really well. No longer kicking the ball away, but running at Sedgley with pace and skill. Too much pace for the Sedgley midfield as tackle after tackle was missed and, in an amazing 15-minute period, four tries were scored.

Most of the damage was done by centres Bailey and Lamb and winger Lough. They scored the tries and created one for hooker Porteous, up in support of his backs.

All Sedgley could manage was one penalty goal and the home team led 24-23 with 20 minutes left.

Time for a Sedgley re-think and some substitutions, the most significant of which was player-coach Tim Fourie coming on to demonstrate the art of tackling.

His presence visibly steadied his team and the danger was soon over. Fourie himself got the touchdown following some good forward play and Pete Roberts added the conversion and a vital penalty that extended the lead to an unassailable nine points.

SEDGLEY PARK: P. Roberts, Mugan, Peacock, O'Hare, Bentham, (Wilcock), Seymour, Wilkinson, Losty, (Young), Whitehouse, G. Roberts, Arnold, Williamson, Hartley, Hogg, Taylor, (Fourie).