Park's Walsall concerto

THIS meeting of two in-form sides produced a game full of running rugby and heart-stopping excitement.

In the end, the vital league points went to Sedgley Park, but it was a desperately close-run thing.

The game started in familiar style for Sedgley. An attacking line-out, a drive by Matt Alcock and Andy Kimmins leading to hooker Leon Treco scoring and Rob Moon adding the conversion.

Sedgley, however, had already lost one scrum against the head and a hard battle seemed inevitable.

The first sight of the Walsall backs in action -- two big and skilful centres and a very quick left winger, confirmed that Sedgley were in for a real game.

All three were to score tries, the first by centre Eastwood following a break by his colleague Towe. Marsh's conversion levelled the scores.

Walsall came close to another try, but Sedgley pinched the ball a metre from the line.

Sedgley were looking the more accomplished team and a patient build-up produced a penalty from which Moon put his side ahead again.

After 24 minutes Sedgley stretched their lead to ten points. Dave McCormack started the move with a quickly taken tap.

The crucial break was made by Mike Wilcock who darted off his wing through the middle before centre Ross Bullough came inside to score, giving Moon an easy conversion.

Walsall hit back immediately, centre Towe bursting through some flimsy tackling for a try converted by Marsh.

The action continued with Sedgley's Sion O'Hare scoring a spectacular 40-metre try following a quick line-out. Moon's conversion restored Sedgley's 10-point advantage, but Walsall would not be shaken off. Moon was off-target with a penalty, but Sedgley were attacking strongly when an interception by home winger Human led to a try for scrum half Martin, despite Bullough's chase and tackle, and Sedgley led 24-19 after a breathlessly fast and entertaining first half.

Sedgley had the slope in their favour in the second half, but any thoughts of dominating the game were quickly dispelled as Walsall had much the better of the next 25 minutes.

An outstanding cover tackle by McCormack prevented an early try, but Sedgley were under increasing pressure.

After 13 minutes of the second half a huge scrummage by the home team turned over possession and flying winger Beechy latched onto a chip over the Sedgley backs. Marsh's conversion put Walsall ahead for the first time and, at this stage, they looked odds-on winners.

Sedgley were getting no ball to play with and the penalty count, in their favour earlier, began to mount against them as their defence became more and more desperate.

The sin-binning of Treco for persistent offending could have been the last straw, but this Sedgley team is made of sterner stuff nowadays. After 28 minutes Sedgley finally broke out and retook the lead with a penalty, an advantage that was immediately cancelled out by a similar Walsall score.

Just six minutes remained when McCormack made the decisive break that gave the game its final twist as Colin Stephens darted through to score a try whch he converted.

Walsall now had to take chances and, running from their own line, a mistake led to a penalty in front of the posts which gave Stephens an opportunity for three easy points.

Instead he spotted the chance for a try and his quick tap went astray and Sedgley found themselves defending desperately as the final whistle went.

SEDGLEY PARK: Moon; Wilcock, O'Hare, Bullough, Morris; Seymour, McCormack; Ridehalgh, Treco, Alcock; Kimmins, Raducanu; Senior, Yates, Fourie. Replacements: Stephens, Byford, Hartley.

Tomorrow Sedgley are at home to Tynedale in a re-arranged league match. The second round of the Lancashire Cup is on Sunday at Preston Grasshoppers.