SEDGLEY PARK...40pts LAUNCESTON...23pts

GOING up in style. That's Sedgley Park Rugby Union Club after their comfortable win over Cornish outfit Launceston.

Two tries in the first ten minuets settled Sedgley nerves and the game was won with something to spare.

Full-back Danny Sloman had put the visitors ahead with a first minute penalty, a score that was immediately cancelled by a drop-goal from Colin Stephens. Just six minutes had elapsed when Richard Senior set up a ruck, Sedgley made neat use of the narrow side, Mike Wilcock raced through a gap, stumbled, regained his feet and scored. Stephens converted.

The second try was similar in execution. Forwards Cris Raducanu and Leon Trace were prominent in the set-up, wing Paul Morris got the try in the left corner, 15-3.

Launceston now enjoyed a good ten minutes, with Samoan centre Mark Fatilofa and a flying Kiwi wing, Bevan Gray, posed the main threat, but Sedgley gave away only one penalty goal while kicking two themselves. Ross Bullough impressed with good defensive shifts.

However, the Cornishman scored a good try through Gray, converted by the accurate Sloman on the brink of half-time and Sedgley led 21-13 with the advantage of the slope to come.

Two minutes into the second half, Sedgley scored again. Tim Fourie ran strongly and Mike Wilcock finished brilliantly with a weaving run, Stephens converted.

Launceston pressed again and were rewarded with another penalty goal before Bullough scored for Sedgley, chasing a Dave McCormack kick that bounced obligingly. Then McCormack himself scored a little gem of a scrum-half's try from short range. The conversion made it 40-16 and Sedgley were home and dry. The Launceston centres combined skilfully to set up another try for the speedy Gray, but it was too little too late and next season will be in League Two.

Watch this space!

SEDGLEY PARK: M. Wilcock, R. Bullough, S. O'Hare, J. Scales, P. Morris, C. Stephens, D. McCormack, M. Alcock, L. Trees, A. Ridehalgh, C. Raducanu (c), P. Arnold, R. Senior, K. Yates, T. Fourie; Subs: A. Peacock, G. Roberts, D. Hartley.

Sedgley chairman David Smith is already planning for next season when Park will be playing the likes of Fylde, Orrell, Rosslyn Park and Preston Grasshoppers -- and he can't wait to get at them.

Smith is negotiating to bring some more top class players in before Sedgley kick-off at Plymouth on September 2 and he declared: "It wasn't too long ago that clubs like Fylde, Orrell and Grasshoppers wouldn't give us a fixture, so we have one or two scores to settle.

"It will be nice to show them how far we have come."

THE RISE AND RISE OF SEDGLEY PARK RUFC

1987: League rugby begins in England. Sedgley Park place in North West two, level eight of the pyramid.

1988: Promoted to NWI under Ronnie Hall.

1988-95: Seven seasons at level seven.

1995/6/7: Three promotions in successive years, the Bob Kimmins era.

1997-2001: Four seasons at level four, National League Three (North).

2001: Promoted to level three, National League Two.