RFU National League Two

Sedgley Park...9pts Penzance & Newlyn...34pts

DEPLETED Sedgley battled gamely against the full-time players from the West Country, but never seriously threatened the Pirates on their march towards Division One.

Playing down the slope in the first half, the visitors impressed from the start with their driving by the forwards and their speed and organisation.

A clean break by flanker Lakalaka Waqanivere threatened the line, but support was lacking, for once, and Sedgley survived.

Already the team was under pressure, but a couple of huge kicks by full-back Chris Glynn gave Sedgley a toe-hold in enemy territory, long enough for Arno de Jager to kick the first penalty.

Unable to break down the Pirates' defence, Sedgley were kicking more than is their custom, but the kicks at this stage were good, and the chase enthusiastic.

The visitors threatened Sedgley's line for the second time, but Paul Morris read the situation well, coming quickly off his wing to make the vital tackle.

Sedgley had struggled to get the ball away from the base of the scrum, and it was ironic that a solid scrum should lead to the Pirates first try, a dropped ball being hacked on by stand-off Steve Evans who won the race to the line.

Sedgley's next attack also resulted in a try for the visitors. A long and patient build-up had found no chink in the defence, and Ross Bullough's chip kick to the corner did not work either.

Instead, Penzance had a stroke of luck with a sliced clearance kick that fell into the path of winger Richard Newton. All Sedgley's players were committed to the attack on the other side of the pitch and Newton had a clear 80-metre run to the line. Nat Saumi converted.

Penzance now pressed strongly, but failed to score, being foiled twice by last-gasp interceptions by Dave McCormack and Chris Glynn.

Instead, the home team mounted a decent attack themselves and were rewarded with a de Jager penalty to trail only 6-12 at half-time, with use of the slope to come.

Any hopes of an upset were soon dashed as the Pirates began the second half with a try from a counter-attack by Saumi, supported by the inevitable Waqanivere. Wing Victor Olonga was the scorer and Saumi converted.

De Jager reduced the arrears with his third penalty goal and a break by centre Jim Naylor raised Sedgley hopes. Penzance were penalised and McCormack took play deep into their 22, only for his pack to lose a scrum against the head.

Moments later, Penzance scored. Sedgley made a mess of a counter-attack, were driven back into defence, and once again, the visitors ran back a kick to score in the corner, a second try for the long-striding Newton.

The final quarter was not inspiring. Saumi kicked a penalty, Sedgley continued to work hard, running the angles and trying to find a way through, but lacked the cutting edge shown by their opponents.

In the dying seconds Pirates hooker James Owen scored his team's fifth try in the corner. Saumi converted.

Sedgley had missed their absent players and tomorrow they face a tricky trip to relegation threatened Kendal.

On Sunday Park Lane is the venue for the Lancashire Plate final between Ruskin Park and Metrovick (kick-off 3pm).

SEDGLEY PARK: Glynn; Bullough, Naylor, Hassan, Morris; De Jager, McCormack; Alcock, Keys, Thomas; Rees, Stockdale; Grainey, Yates, Senior. Substitutes: Roberts, Treco, Scales, Taylor.