UNFORTUNATELY for Sedgley, a never-say-die spirit, a penalty and a try were never going to be enough to beat a professional outfit such as league leaders Northampton Saints, who ran in nine tries – seven converted – to beat the Tigers at a canter.

The score at full time was 8-59, but both sides could have run in more touchdowns, As it is, the Tigers have to be content with a Phil Jones penalty and a late Jon Skurr touchdown in what was a real National Division One ‘David-and-Goliath’ tussle.

Pic: northamptonsaints.co.uk

Returning to his North West roots, former Wigan Warriors’ league star Chris Ashton claimed a hat-trick in his new side’s nine-try victory over Sedgley Park, with the Tigers replying with a Phil Jones penalty and a late John Skurr touchdown.

The Tigers took a ninth-minute lead with a Jones penalty and spurred by this Park looked for a try, with Matt Riley’s break forcing former All Black Bruce Reihana to scramble back in defence.

In fact the Tigers were pressing again when Saints got onto the score board. A turnover on their own 22 was turned by Reihana, Ashton and another local league boy, Stephen Myler into a try for Darren Fox.

The Tigers then paid dearly for another turnover. Chris Hall beat Robbie Kydd to Jones’s cross kick but a lack of support at the ensuing ruck saw Ashton scoop the ball up and race 90 metres to score between the sticks; Myler added the extras.

Myler then converted his own try a few minutes later before Fox went over for his second. Paul Shields’ debut Saints try and a fourth conversion for Myler saw the Saints lead 3-33 at half-time.

Four minutes after the restart former Scotland and British and Irish Lions’ prop Tom Smith finished of a rolling maul to keep the Saints’ momentum going.

But the Tigers refused to throw in the towel and winger Chris Briers fashioned an incisive chip and chase that had the Saints’ defence panicking.

Further tries from another former All Black, Carlos Spencer, along with Ashton again took Saints past the 50-point mark.

However, the Tigers’ defiance remained and Jon Skurr powered over in the corner with six minutes to go.

The final score went to the visitors on the stroke of full-time when a kick was charged down by Neil Starling with Ashton pouncing on to the loose ball to race over in the corner, converted by Myler

SEDGLEY TIGERS: Riley (Van De Venter 53), Hall, Craig (Nutt 72), Payne, Briers, Jones, Albinson (Wilkinson 72), Gazzola (Du Plessis 46), Roddam (Keys 58), Halsall (Birchall 72), Fourie (Norris 46), Townson, Crous, Newton, Skurr.
Try: Skurr
Penalty: Jones
 
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS: Spencer (Diggin 60), Ashton, Kydd, Downey (Starling 50), Reihana, Myler, Vass (Brake 60), Smith, Shields (Ward 60), Stewart (Sigley 60), Browne, Lord, Rudzki, Fox (Lewitt 69), Hopley (Tupai 28).
Tries: Fox (2), Ashton (3), Myler, Shields, Smith, Spencer.
Conversions: Myler 7.