Conditions were perfect for running rugby and very much to Sedgley’s liking, but the first try came from a kick ahead and a nasty bounce that had Manchester defenders falling over one another in in-goal. SP full-back Paul Morris was the quickest to react; Dom Köhler converted.

Sedgley were already playing with composure, moving the ball quickly in midfield and looking for cutting angles. It was good to see Matt Lamprey and Martin Halsall back in action following injury, though Matt Smith was out. Danny Greenhalgh was also available, and Dave Livesey, so it was a solid as well as mobile pack that took the field. Behind them, Paul Urmston was preferred at scrum-half.

However, it was the visitors who scored next. Sedgley had a kick charged down, then twice failed to control the ball from the base of the scrum. Manchester won a penalty, which was missed, but a knock-on behind the line gave the opposition another chance which they took well, a patient build up leading to a close-range try; 7-7.

When Sedgley had Rob Leigh banished to the sin-bin the game appeared to be drifting away, but his team-mates scored a try while he was off the field. A great break by hooker Gareth Roberts was supported by centre Tom Albinson. Manchester cleared, but only as far as wing Phil Largan who sliced through several tackles before linking up. Albinson eventually scored, rounding off a fine move.

Köhler converted and added a penalty before half-time, when Sedgley led 17-7. It could have been more. With Köhler, Leigh, Roberts and Albinson repeatedly breaking the first tackle, a little more steadiness would have seen points accrue – equally, Manchester’s defence is infinitely better than that of most teams in the league.

Manchester opened the second half with a try, a fluent and skilful counter-attack to the right corner, but Sedgley hit back following yet another break by Roberts. Morris supplied the pass which sent Henry Monsell on his way to the corner. Köhler’s conversion made it 24-12.

Manchester were effectively killed off when they lost a player to the bin. A 30-metre driving maul brought Monsall his second try, a neat use of the blind side by Albinson, and a penalty for a high tackle increased Park’s lead to 32-12.

Manchester scored their third try, a fashionable but well executed kick to the winger standing wide, but Sedgley had the last word with Monsall’s hat-trick try from Urmston’s neat little box kick.

It had been a high quality game, equally well refereed.

Afterwards, Steve Hazzelby was ecstatic about his boys’ performance. His day will have got even better following the events at Twickenham. How bad were England? Still can’t believe it!

This game (the one at Park Lane) also doubled up as the Lancashire Cup quarter-final between the clubs, the original fixture having fallen foul of the weather. Sedgley’s semi-final opponents are West Park, at Sedgley, on a date to be announced.

With Fylde and Waterloo both losing, the table now looks like this:

                Pld Pts
1. Sedgley Park 17  65
2. Fylde        19  61
3. Manchester   16  56
4. Waterloo     18  53
5. Macclesfield 17  53

(4 for a win,  2 for a draw, 1 for a defeat)

There are 28 games to be played, so no celebrations yet!

The new link for the league is www.nowirul.org.uk