Sedgley Park wrapped up their National Two North title-winning campaign with another victory with a 28-10 triumph at Otley.

It was a win that brought the curtain down on what coach Steve Hazzelby rightly hailed a fantastic campaign.

He said: “We had won the league the week before when we beat Sheffield Tigers at home so many would think this game was not important - but that was never in our heads.

“We wanted to finish the campaign with a winning performance and so it turned out to be.

“It is hard to put into put into words how good this season has been. Our playing record was played 26, won 24, drawn 1 and lost 1 - an unbelievable achievement.

“The whole squad of players including the second and third team players are the reason we finished as champions.

“The hard work and effort they have put into every training session and game has been phenomenal.

“Led by our head coach, Scott Barrow, his team of coaches and management team, it has been a wonderful achievement. It has been extra special to many of our senior players who have mentored and guided many of the younger players who have gelled so well into the team.

“Captained by Matt Riley, vice captain Bob Birtwell and the Tigers backroom team of Mark Goodman, Tom Ailes, Oli Glasse, Steve Collins and Ben Black it has given us so many highlights both home and away.”

The latest highlight was victory at an Otley side who had only lost one home game all season prior to last weekend.

Sedgley’s Steve Collins was playing his 250th game for the club and was presented with his cap on the day, while 17-year-old Will Bradley, who has been at the club since he was five, was making his debut and number eight Greg Morgan had his first start.

The visitors started strongly with good pressure inside the Otley half and a lovely little chip over their defence by Collins was gathered by full-back Andy Riley to give the champions their first score. Collins converted to make it 7-0 after five minutes.

Otley are a strong, powerful team who play hard open rugby but they could not break down Sedgley’s defences. They did get a penalty after 20 minutes but Sedgley got a second try when star man Joe Bedlow came off Matt Riley’s shoulder to score under the posts. Collins added the conversion to make it 14-3 up going into the last 10 minutes of the half. Five minutes later, Collins himself added the third try with a lovely line break.

Otley started the second half strongly with a well-worked try after a good line break in the centre to get back into the game at 21-10 but the day belonged to the Tigers.

A strong run down the right by winger Rhys Henderson brought their fourth and bonus-point try to seal victory.

After the game the players were presented with their winner’s medals and inspirational captain Matt Riley collected the league trophy and the NCA trophy.

Hazzelby added: “We will enjoy the short break before we go again and prepare for the huge challenge that National One rugby will bring.”