SEDGLEY Park’s miserable run of results in 2024 continued on the road at Sale FC last weekend when they lost 35-24 in National One.

The much-anticipated local derby attracted a big crowd who witnessed a nine-try thriller in a physical, hard-fought game.

Sale, who lost the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign, went into the clash on the back of a good run, winning six of their last seven games so the Tigers knew it was going to be a big challenge.

The visitors started strongly, keeping possession well and a lovely line break by centre Nathan Pope saw the ball moved through two pairs of hands for centre Oli Glasse to go over in the bottom right-hand corner after just three minutes.

Play was even with both sides looking to play open rugby and test each other’s defences.

Sale scored next after a mishandle in midfield by the Tigers saw their winger intercept and race 60 metres to touch down and give them a 7-5 lead after 20 minutes.

However, Sedgley hit back almost immediately after hooker Harry Thompson chased down a kick from scrum-half Jacob Tansey to touch down on the right make it 10-7 going into the last 15 minutes of the half.

Sale kept up the pressure, playing with momentum and continuity and strong driving play from their forwards.

But a turnover deep in the visitors’ 22 saw the ball moved quickly to young winger Will Bradley who raced 70 metres to score Tigers’ third try, and Warren Seals added the conversion fora 17-7 half-time lead.

It was a solid first-half performance, but the second period proved costly for the Tigers as they gave away vital territory and possession by giving away penalty after penalty, which meant that Sale were camped on their try line for long periods.

However, the defence kept out drive after drive from the home side and it was not until the 57th minute that they were able to get their second converted try with a lineout catch-and-drive to reduce the deficit.

Sedgley then received one yellow card followed by a second six minutes later that reduced them to 13, and this was to have a significant affect on the result. A lineout on their five-metre line was overthrown and the hosts’ prop collected and touched down to give them the lead 21-17 going into the last 20 minutes.

Then, against the run of play, a second interception from the home team saw their centre race 60 metres to extend their lead to 28-17 and a try bonus point.

The Tigers looked to hit back but were frustrated as the referee gave the hosts a number of penalties. The hosts scored their fifth try after a nice chip through was collected by their winger to give them a commanding 35-17 lead with five minutes to go.

Sedgley did manage to get a fourth try right on the final whistle which gave them a bonus point, but the day belonged to the home team.

This Saturday the Tigers are at home to Forest of Dean side Cinderford, a team they beat in the first half of the season.