WEST PARK 2nd XV  0
SEDGLEY PARK 2nd XV 27

Bateman BMW Premiership

SEDGLEY faced a potentially tricky away fixture at St Helens, but a fine display of running rugby in dreadful conditions saw the team maintain its position at the top of the Premiership.

Sedgley scored directly from the start. Chris Leader fielded the kick-off, passed inside to Phil Largan, and the little full-back dodged and skipped his way through the entire West Park side for an outstanding try.

Almost immediately the heavens opened, a 20-minute downpour blown on a wind that favoured Sedgley in the first half, but in near darkness the rugby continued to sparkle.

Full credit must go to the players of both teams who wanted to play an open game, and to an excellent referee who enabled this to happen. In particular the tackle area – so often a mess – was exceptionally tidy.

Sedgley had the lion’s share of possession, as well as wind-driven field position, but a well organised West Park tackled well. Only once more was their defensive line breached, number 8 Rob Leigh sneaking up the narrow side for a 25th minute try. A half-time 10-0 lead seemed a slender one in the conditions.

The second half belonged to the Sedgley pack. As conditions eased, even the wind swinging round a little to Sedgley’s benefit, West Park were never able to break the shackles.

Sedgley wing Henry Monsell almost scored in the right corner, but Sedgley continued to press and prop Leyton Taylor eventually got the vital third try.

The game was made safe when Tom Albinson rounded off a good move, slicing through to the posts; Dom Köhler converted.

A wonderful run by the light-footed Monsell set up Albinson for his second try, and Sedgley’s fifth and final one.