Sedgley Park’s superb start to the National Two North season continued with a 42-15 win at Blaydon.

After a two-week break, the Tigers made the long journey to the North East against a side who have struggled at the start of the campaign.

But coach Steve Hazzelby says his side were taking nothing for granted and praised the efforts of his side after top scorer Rhys Henderson scored five of their six tries and kicker Oli Glasse converted all six.

Hazzelby said: “They had not started their season well with only two bonus points to show for their efforts. But they are a team who like to play open, fast rugby and play right to the final whistle.

“Our aim was to maintain the unbeaten run with another solid performance and keep the pressure on league leaders Fylde and we did that.

“What a day with six tries, five for top scorer Rhys Henderson and a perfect conversion record for Oli Glasse.

“Fylde also had an excellent win against top side Rotherham to maintain their lead at the top but we are right there just two points behind and keeping the pressure on.”

Sedgley began strongly with a try for left winger Jamie Harrison, who sprinted 90 metres from his own line to touch down on the left.

Centre Oli Glasse, who was deputising for the injured Steve Collins, added the conversion and the visitors were 7-0 up within the first 10 minutes.

This was followed shortly after with a try for right winger Rhys Henderson who intercepted a pass from the Blaydon backs and ran 40 metres to score. Glasse again added the conversion and Sedgley were now in control of the game with a solid set-piece scrum and accurate lineouts.

A powerful drive by second-row Bob Birtwell into the Blaydon 22 saw the ball moved quickly to the left for Henderson to score his second try of the afternoon before another Glasse conversion made it three converted tries within the first half hour.

A fourth bonus-point try came three minutes later when skipper Matt Riley latched onto a handling error by Blaydon. He then fed the ball to Henderson who ran 50 metres to score his hat-trick and Glasse maintained his 100-per-cent conversion rate.

Blaydon did score just before the break after their centre chipped over to gather and score to make it 28-5 at half time.

The second half started well for the Tigers with a fourth try for Henderson after a strong drive by prop Beltus Nonleh fed him and Glasse converted.

Blaydon hit back with a well-worked try after their left winger sprinted 60 metres to touch down in the left-hand corner to reduce the lead to 35-10.

Sedgley rang the changes and renewed impetus saw a lovely break by second-row Alex Benbatouche into the Blaydon half which moved the ball to Henderson for his fifth try of the afternoon and Glasse again converted.

Blaydon added a third score near the end but the game ended with a win for the Tigers and an all-important bonus point.

This Saturday, Sedgley host Rotherham followed by games against Wharfedale (away) and Fylde at home.