SEDGLEY Park returned to the top of National League 2 North after playing the conditions to perfection after beating Tynedale 41-7.

Coach Steve Hazzelby was full of praise for his players as they ran in seven tries to pick up a bonus point victory against bogey side Tynedale who had won the four previous encounters between the teams.

He was particular pleased with the first half performance as Sedgley still managed to play some attracting rugby despite a gale force wind, driving rain and standing surface water that had put the game in doubt.

“It has to said that the performance in this first half was nothing more than unbelievable considering the conditions,” he said. “Our set piece scrum was solid and the line out accurate. Our kicking for territory out of hand from Steve Collins and Matt Riley was inspirational keeping Tynedale pinned back in their half.”

Sedgley played up the slope in the first half which should have made handling a bit of a lottery.

But their opening try after just five minutes was excellent as winger Jamie Harrison came into the back line, outstripped the cover defence and touch down on the right.

Conditions made conversions almost impossible but a second try soon arrived when skipper Matt Riley burst through the Tynedale defence.

This was followed six minutes later with a third try for right winger Rhys Henderson after lovely hands from prop Ben Black and Collins.

A bonus-point winning fourth try was scored by top scorer Matt Gallagher after a powerful catch and drive from the forwards and Collins made it five after a beautiful show and go and Sedgley led 29-0 after an almost perfect first half performance.

Conditions continued to get worse in the second half and from the kick off full back Andy Riley collected a high ball 40m out, broke through to beat four defenders and touch down near the posts.

Tynedale did get on the scoreboard late into the half but the damage had been down and Sedgley finished strongly when Henderson went over for his second try of the game.

“A well deserved five point win and back to the top of the table,” added Hazzelby. “It is hard to describe how good this was performance was considering the awful weather.

“Every player had given their all and once again a man of the match display from Steve Collins.”

Sedgley are on the road again on Saturday when they travel to seventh place Loughborough Students and Hazzelby is expecting a difficult game.

He said: “A top performance is required if we want to keep up this momentum going into the last two games before Christmas but this a very special group of players who have the ability to beat any team in this league on their day.”