Sedgley Park 20, New Brighton 28

PRIOR to this match, New Brighton had conceded fewer than 10 points per game. That Sedgley could score double that was a bonus but, not good enough to take the league points.

New Brighton are a big, powerful immovable side whereas Sedgley are fleet-of-foot and innovative.

The weather conditions of gusting, strong winds did not lend to slick handling and so Sedgley lost the ball no fewer than 19 times in play to 11 times by the visitors.

Sedgley's line-out was dominant and their attitude right. There was just one other factor - the law and the interpretation of the law.

Within three minutes Sedgley were seven points up as eight pairs of hands linked across the field to the right wing for Paul Morris to touch down and Rob Moon to convert. Two more penalties from Moon edged Sedgley further ahead but three from New Brighton kicker Paul Brett kept the Wirral side in the game at 13-9 at half time.

If the home side were perplexed by some of the decisions in the first half, worse was to come. The powerful New Brighton pack took control; scrum half Wright used the wind with some excellent kicks and New Brighton did not knock the ball forward - as they did not pass.

Two short range power drives brought tries to New Brighton and, between them, a penalty try for a first offence in dragging the scrum.

All the frustration seemed to have taken the heart out of Sedgley but, right on time from a tap penalty, Chiquitos man of the match Christian Radacam scored and Moon converted.

With international games tomorrow (Saturday), Sedgley's next encounter is with Nuneaton on March 13 when, hopefully, ball retention will have improved and fewer penalties conceded.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.