SEDGLEY Park coach Steve Hazzelby hailed his side’s effort as they claimed a well-deserved away victory at Luctonians in National Two North.

The Tigers won a tight game 15-13 to move clear in second place in the table, a point above Fylde and Rotherham but 11 behind leaders Hull, though they have a game in hand.

But for now, Hazzelby and the team are taking each game as it comes and he felt it was a big collective effort to win at Luctonian after the three-hour trip to the Welsh borders..

He said: “It is always a difficult ground to go to with a long three-hour journey down to the Welsh border near Leominster.

“Results between the teams at their ground have always been fairly close and we knew that this would be one of the hardest away games of the season.

“We had beaten them well at Park Lane back in October but their recent form since just before Christmas had been very good with an excellent win against Stourbridge and a narrow loss to Rotherham, both top-four teams.

“Make no mistake this was a wonderful effort from all the players and a well-deserved victory.

“We are now back up to second in the league, one point ahead of Fylde and Rotherham but 11 behind leaders Hull who we play in three weeks’ time.”

On Saturday, a strong wind made life difficult for the Tigers as they played into it in the first half.

The hosts went ahead with a catch-and-drive try from their powerful forwards and followed this up with a penalty to put them 8-0 in the lead within the first 20 minutes.

Sedgley did create a number of good chances but did not capitalise on them and unnecessary penalties which gave Luctonians territory and possession.

The home side went further ahead with another try in the corner and went into the break 13-0 in the lead.

Sedgley were positive at the start of the second half with the wind at their backs and struck almost immediately with a lovely try for hooker Matt Gallagher after great inter-play between backs and forwards.

A penalty from Steve Collins on the hour mark reduced the arrears and on 73 minutes, a well-worked try was scored by winger Jamie Harrison and a Collins conversion made it 15-13.

And after a late penalty was squandered by the hosts, the Tigers secured a four-point win.

On Saturday, Sedgley are at home against fifth-placed Stourbridge at Park Lane.