SEDGLEY PARK have signed up two new players as they prepare for life in National League Division Two next season.

The Whitefield-based Rugby Union club won promotion last season after a tense play-off with Cornish side Launceston.

And now they are shaping up to take on big names like Rosslyn Park, Fylde, Waterloo and Orrell next season.

To help them achieve more success, the Park Lane side have recruited second rower paul Reece and tight head prop Hugh Thomas.

Reece has come in from Wakefield and has also had experience with Leeds and Orrell, while Welshman Thomas was also with Leeds and has played at New Brighton too.

"They are decent players who have played at a high level before, which always helps," said Sedgley's South African forward and coachTim Fourie.

"We are working at getting another copuple of guys to come over and see us.

"We already have one foreign player in Rob Moon, who will be with us next season, and you are only allowed to play two foreign players in your first team, so we may recruit one more if possible."

Andy Ridehaugh has gone back to Blackburn after a year with Sedgley and there is a question mark over whether hooker Steve Byford will be available next season.

"Andy will be a big loss, but we would love to have Steve back. We understand he may be back in the country after doing some travelling abroad recently, but we are not to sure whether he is going to play for us next season," added Fourie.

"We start our pre-season training in the second week in July and we are trying to arrange some friendlies.

"We have got the toughest possible start with trips to Plymouth Albion and Rosslyn Park on the first two Saturdays of the season.

"We go to Plymouth on September 1. It's a long way and they are a big, tough physical side. They won their league last season, the same one that Launceston are in, to come into National Two. "We follow that up by going to Rosslyn Park the following Saturday. Perhaps our two toughest trips of the season and people say at least you are getting them out of the way quickly.

"But one thing's for sure -- it won't be easy," said Furie.

Sedgley's first home game is on Saturday September 15 when Park hope to be able to show off their new 400-seater stand when Kendal come to Park Lane.

"We are looking forward to a successful season," said Fourie.