Sedgley’s ‘wrestlers’ pin down Hoppers

SEDGLEY coach Scott Barrow described his side’s victory as a ‘bit of an arm wrestle’ as the visitors steered themselves to a crucial away win.

Grasshoppers started on the front and got the game’s opening try, but Sedgley woke themselves up after the first quarter and finished by far the stronger side.

“Our effort was good but we were well matched and edged in the scrum,” commented Barrow.

“Although we made good breaks we couldn’t consolidate and finish them off, which was very frustrating.”

Sedgley were in the lead after only two minutes when Stephen Collins’ kick for goal was successful.

The Preston restart did not go ten metres and from the resultant scrum, Sedgley advanced on the Preston 22 and another penalty pushed the score to 6-0.

Hoppers replied with a break by Ben Dorrington to the Sedgley line and a try by Tyler Sloane, converted by Jake Squirrel.

This time, Sedgley came back with a try by Thomas Coe, converted by Collins, crucially remaining on target with the boot.

Hoppers were not helped

by a yellow card shown to Alex Hurst for a high tackle and, while they were down to 14, Sedgley scored again, though the conversion was missed.

Despite the miss Sedgley still took had still created a sizeable half-time gap at 1810.

Hoppers restarted after the break and a searing 30metre break by Hurst took them to the Sedgley line once again, with their second try scored by Craig Procter, again converted by Squirrel.

However, in a repeat of the first half, Hoppers’ Sam Stott was sin-binned to curtail their response once again - Sedgley taking advantage.

The visitors were reduced to 14 themselves when Mark Goodman was carded for a high tackle and only minutes later they were down to 13 when Oscar Harper was responsible for another high tackle as ill discipine took over.

Squirrel kicked the resultant penalty and the score narrowed to 23-20 with a quarter of the match still remaining.

Hoppers started to dominate the scrums, but, although they drove back the opposition time and again, their breaks were frustrated by penalties as temperatures rose.

Hoppers took the decision to kick when they had possession and eventually it cost them both the game and the chance of a losing bonus point.

Sedgley finished the match with their fourth, the all-important bonuspoint try and conversion.

Hoppers’ coach Paul Arnold was quick to give credit to the visitors after the eventful curtain-raiser to the season.

“They capitalised on our mistakes and I was disappointed not to get anything out of the game,” he said.

“We played well in parts and the scrum went well, but a few decisions just went against us and sometimes that happens in rugby.”

Grasshoppers travel to Fylde next week as they look to get their first points, while Sedgley Park host Wharfedale at Park Lane.