After an even start, a neat Callum Irvine offload sent Lewis Minikin off on a dazzling 50 metres break, Park went offside and Minikin’s penalty put the visitors ahead. Stung by this early setback, Park set up a driving maul from an attacking line-out and Johnny Matthews scored a try converted by Steve Collins.

Scrum half, Phil Wickham then made a half break for Harrogate but Sedgley won turnover ball and Callum McShane cut through the midfield to give a scoring pass to Bob Birtwell. Harrogate came back into contention with powerful forward play and Sam Brady dived over but unfortunately lost control of the ball and the try was disallowed. More Harrogate attacks followed and a try seemed certain from an Irvine attacking chip. However an unlucky bounce let Sedgley recover. The Harrogate attacks continued but were thwarted by a high tackle on Irvine and Minikin’s penalty kick made it 14-6.

Sedgley scored 2 more converted tries in the last few minutes of the half to put themselves virtually out of sight. No8, Matt Lamprey powered over near the right hand corner and winger Jamie Harrison showed pace and skill for a fine individual try on the stroke of half time.

Harrogate were a transformed side after the interval with forwards and backs linking well in attack and doughty defence containing attempted Sedgley counters. Good turnover ball was quickly released to Minikin whose pace left the home defence for dead and a well timed pass gave the supporting Harry Parrish an excellent team try.

In injury time, a mysterious penalty was awarded to Sedgley and McShane scored the game’s final converted try from a quick break.

Sedgley Park: A Riley, Bedlow, Waywell, M Riley, Harrison, Collins, McShane, Ashcroft, Matthews, Warrington, Birtwell, Lloyd, Crous, Manley, Lamprey. Subs(all used) :- Carlton-Jones, Waddey, Wilkinson, Dewland, West.

Harrogate: Frost, Bottomley, Minikin, Giles, Parrish, Irvine, Wickham, Purkiss-McEndoo, Maycock, Reaveley,
J Brady, S Brady, Smith, G Coser, Boyde. Subs (all used):- Heaton, Ward, Harvey, Yorke, J Coser.

Referee: Ben Davies (RFU)

Match report by Bill Barrack