Tarleton were Sedgley’s Junior opponents on a beautiful autumn morning, but both the games at Park Lane were disappointingly one-sided.

Sedgley Park U15s improved greatly last year and have further strengthened their side at the start of this season. The game began evenly enough. Tarleton then lost a prop to injury, resulting in uncontested scrums, and Sedgley scored twice in quick succession through winger Ryan Edge and forward Sam Owen.

A further try, scored by man-of-the-match Tom Bedlow, made it 15-0 at half-time, with Sedgley now in total control.

The second half was not pretty as Tarleton’s play disintegrated completely. Sedgley made handling errors but tries still came at regular intervals, scored by Jamie Kettleborough (2), Cormac McGivney (2) and Phil Watt.

Final score: 46-0.

The under 14 game was an altogether better affair. Park fell behind in the first minute but were soon playing some attractive rugby, throwing the ball around skilfully. The equalising try, however, came via route 1 from the base of a scrum.

The game was now spoiled as a contest by a series of injuries to Tarleton players. Sedgley gradually got on top through teamwork, with the visitors managing only the occasional individual foray.

12-5 at half-time soon became 27-5 from two more tries and a penalty goal, before Tarleton’s brave efforts were rewarded  with a late try.

Final score: 27-12.

The under 16 game at Tarleton was cancelled by the home team who had players attending the Lancashire trial. Sedgley had 5 boys at the trial but would have been happy to play with a below-strength team. They had to settle for a training session instead.

No news yet of the under 13s, also scheduled to play at Tarleton.

There was no game for the Junior Colts.

The Senior Colts entertained Leigh in Division One of the Lancs & Cheshire Colts League. Sedgley won 36-12 but for a lengthy period the game was much closer than that.

Sedgley made a good start with stand-off Ross Watson twice impressing. He missed much of last season through injury, but he quickly showed he was back with a break from his own half which led to the first try. He then wriggled his way over for the second.

Leigh were struggling to hold Sedgley’s superior pack, and a driven try made it 17-0.

The visitors then scored a well worked try through their impressive backs and, for a twenty minute period spanning half-time, they looked the more likely side.

Sedgley scrambled well in defence, however, and eventually broke out to score from a driven maul. Two more tries followed, both from accurate and unselfish handling, before Leigh’s tall and speedy centre got one back just before the end.

A pleasant game, a good standard of rugby, and Park’s league season is now up and running.

Pics from the Senior Colts game against Leigh can viewed here.