SEDGLEY PARK 22, ORRELL 3 RFU National League One: Local bragging rights, and more importantly five points, were Sedgley's reward for a determined performance against Lancashire rivals Orrell at a cold and snowy Park Lane on Monday.

First half tries from Jon Feeley and Jim Naylor, followed by two more in the second half from Richard Oxley and Arno De Jager, wrapped up a comfortable win that, had the conditions been better, could easily have been by a far bigger margin.

It was the Tigers' third win on the bounce and the second in which they have not only clamed victory but also the bonus point for running in four or more tries.

They could have led 6-0 inside eight minutes, but the usually reliable Blair Feeney missed two penalty attempts, both well within range.

On 12 minutes Orrell suffered a blow when scrum-half Scott Benton, on loan from Zurich Premiership side Sale Sharks, had to leave the field with a head wound, he was replaced by Neil Chivers.

Despite this setback Orrell stuck to what they are good at: catching and driving from the lineout, but they came up against a Sedgley defence that has now been honed into a very effective unit.

Sedgley bided their time and when they eventually did spin the ball out it ended in the first try of the game.

From a lineout on the Orrell 22 the ball went through the three-quarters and into the hands of wing Jon Feeley, whose pace left the cover for dead in the right-hand corner.

With Feeney's conversion attempt off-target, Sedgley had to settle for a 5-0 scoreline.

Skipper Jimmy Ponton was proving invaluable in both the loose and particularly the tight; on a number of occasions in the lineout he claimed clean ball to set-up a drive, as Sedgley strove to get out of their own half.

On 22 minutes the home side were presented with a golden opportunity when Orrell hooker Joe Clarke was yellow-carded, but De Jager's penalty attempt was unsuccessful.

However, Sedgley did make the most of the man advantage.

A fine passing move along the backline from left to right saw former Orrell wing Richard Welding break through a cover tackle down the left touchline before slipping the ball inside to Jimmy Naylor in close support, and he gleefully galloped over just to the left of the posts to make it 10-0, with Feeney again unsuccessful with the boot.

For long periods Orrell seemed to be encamped inside the Sedgley 22, but consistent defence kept them at bay.

Three lineouts, a scrum and two penalties all within 10 metres of the Sedgley line still couldn't be turned into points by the visitors.

Four minutes from half-time it was Ponton's turn for a yellow card, although Jimmy Moore, couldn't convert the penalty.

But he was successful two minutes into time added on at the end of the opening half with another penalty attempt, to send his side in for the break 10-3 behind.

The second half saw Sedgley prepared to defend in their own half, and despite all Orrell's forward pressure it was the home side that scored a real forwards try.

Five minutes after the restart Sedgley replaced scrum-half Chris Wilkinson with Dave McCormack, and he was heavily involved in his side's next score.

Following a successful catch-and-drive from a lineout on the right, the ball was driven into centre-field, and Sedgley were awarded a penalty on the Orrell 22.

Feeney kicked for touch and from the resulting lineout, five metres out from the Orrell tryline, the home side set-up a rolling maul which was too powerful for the visitors, and hooker Richard Oxley claimed the touchdown.

This time De Jager had a touch of good fortune with the conversion attempt, as it went over after hitting the right upright, to make it 17-3 to the Tigers.

Sedgley continued to soak up pressure and Orrells frustration saw lock Adam Jackson yellow carded on 50 minutes for foul play.

Sedgley's fourth try came from another example of poor Orrell discipline, when they conceded another penalty for a high tackle just inside their own half.

Feeney again kicked for touch and from the lineout Sedgley drove further into Orrell territory and were awarded the put-in at a scrum on the visitor's 22.

Richard Senior produced a neat pick-up and drive, stopped short 10 metres out.

But Sedgley retained possession, and the ball was spun out to the left where De Jager appeared in the line and cut through the Orrell defence to go over for an unconverted try to make it 22-3, which is how the game ended, despite Orrell continuing to pressure until the final whistle.

Sedgley exhibited supreme confidence which, when allied to an impressive work ethic (particularly in defence) and strong running lines made victory a certainty.

l A special mention must go to the club members and supporters who braved the cold to help the ground staff clear the Park Lane pitch of snow on the morning of the game to make it playable.

SEDGLEY: De Jager, Feeley, Naylor, Voortman, Welding, Feeney, Wilkinson, Du Plessis, Oxley, Thomas, Fourie, Lund, Senior, Ponton, Skurr.

Replacements: Keys, Collie, Lourens, Hall, McCormack (for Wilkinson, 45), Hassan, Bullough.