Collins on song as the Tigers dominate
SEDGLEY PARK took another step towards the title with a hard-fought victory over Hull Ionians.
The match turned conclusively Sedgley’s way early in the second half, with Tigers grabbing two converted tries, as Ionians succumbed to a series of injuries and struggled to cope with the well organised and relentless play from the leaders.
Ionians dominated the opening 10 minutes without prising open the Tigers defence.
Lewis Minikin put the hosts ahead with a 13thminute penalty, but this was shortlived as Tigers talisman Steve Collins was instrumental in a move that swept 60m and resulted in a try for Rob Birtwell.
A scything run from Sam Wilson to within 10m of the Tigers line should have earned greater reward, but Sedgley regained possession and took play back up field and, after pressing up to the line, switched play wide, creating an overlap for Andy Riley to cross unopposed.
Minikin added two penalties for Ionians to one for Tigers from Collins to close a very competitive half in which Ionians lost two key players to injury, Cameron Burnhill and James Thompson.
Sedgley hit their straps at the beginning of the second half. Another free flowing move stretched Ionians and allowed Gabriel Seriki to score.
Ionians looked as if they may be overwhelmed at this point, and they relied heavily on the defensive work of James Sanderson and George Mewburn.
Neither could do anything about Sedgley’s bonus-point score, with Collins again orchestrating play and picking out Matt Riley to run over.
Even in possession, Ionians were been driven backwards, but Ben Smith threw a pass out to 17-year-old debutant Jeremy Oboh, who plucked the ball from over his head, skipped past two defenders and scored.
Ionians were manful in their rear-guard efforts to keep Tigers to one more penalty from Collins and added a second try of their own from a catch and drive for Alan Hudson, but the result was never seriously in doubt.
Afterwards Tigers, skipper Matt Riley said: “Ionians is a difficult place to come, they are defensively strong, but we held them for the opening 10 minutes and then looked to attack the breakdown and slow the ball to force errors and we looked to the leaders in the team to see us home.”