SEDGLEY PARK go into 2001 with hopes high. Despite the recent defeat at Doncaster, the team is in good shape to challenge for promotion at the end of the season.

The three top teams all have to travel to Park Lane and, of the 13 games remaining for Sedgley, eight are at home.

With most of the away games against the lower-placed teams, it is not unrealistic to hope for a near 100 per cent end of season run-in.

As for promotion, the goalposts keep being moved -- but it is our understanding that the top club will earn automatic promotion, with the second-placed team having to play against their Southern counterparts for one other place in League Two. Launceston or Penzance & Newlyn appear the most likely candidates, with Plymouth appearing to have that league already in the bag.

It was unlucky for Sedgley that the first two league matches were both away, at New Brighton and Stourbridge. With so many close-season signings in the side, a couple of relatively easy fixtures would not have gone amiss at that stage.

The team competed well in a dull game at New Brighton, but were well and truly sunk without trace at Stourbridge.

Gradually, week by week, the teamwork improved and, as November arrived, Sedgley were surely providing the best -- and most entertaining -- rugby ever seen at Park Lane.

Never more so than when Nuneaton were overwhelmed 57-3 on November 11, or Whitchurch 59-3 on December 2.

The team has also shown an ability to 'dog it out' in the mud, as witnessed in away wins at far-distant Aspatria and Tynedale.

Equally pleasing has been the rise and rise of the 2nd XV this season. The vast majority of the team are under 21, including a handful of teenagers, and this should provide a source of players for the first team for years to come.

Predictions for the New Year -- Stourbridge win the League, Sedgley Park come second and win promotion after a play-off against Penzance & Newlyn. The team begins the new season well in September in League Two.

Two of the club's Junior teams become Lancashire champions, winning their finals at Sedgley Park on April 29.

England win the Six Nations, but not the Grand Slam -- Wales again sneak a lucky win at Cardiff.

Sedgley Park's home match on December 30 against Tynedale was postponed -- as was the whole league programme.

Tomorrow, Aspatria are Sedgley's opponents at Park Lane.