COACH Steve Hazzelby hailed Sedgley Park’s 54-14 victory at bogey side Tynedale as one of the team’s best performances of the National Two North campaign.

And coupled with a shock defeat for second-placed Rotherham , at Huddersfield, it made for a good day for the Tigers who are now level behind leaders Hull on 108 points with Rotherham.

Hazzelby said: “We had beaten Tynedale quite comfortably at home in December but they are always a difficult team to play at home with some good results against top teams.

“They regarded themselves as our bogey team as we had not beaten them at their place for over 12 seasons.

“We had prepared well during the week but knew that this would be a massive challenge especially with over five of the normal starting players out with injury.

“But we came through and make no mistake, this has to be one of the best performances of the season and one which all the players can be extremely proud of.

“All the young players who came into the team because of the injuries certainly stepped up and put in a massive effort.

“We are now in joint second place after Rotherham were surprisingly beaten at Huddersfield and with four games to go we will keep the pressure on leaders Hull.”

The game in Northumberland started tentatively with both teams kicking for territory and it was Tynedale who scored first with a catch-and-drive try through their big powerful forwards after Sedgley gave a penalty away.

The visitors responded with a good line break from scrum-half Danny Openshaw, who took play deep into the hosts’ 22. The ball was moved quickly for left winger Jacob Tansey to touch down and Steve Collins added the conversion on 20 minutes.

Shortly later a penalty 10 metres out from the Tynedale line gave the Tigers a lineout which they drove over for hooker Matt Gallagher to give them a second try.

They were now playing some great rugby and testing the home team’s defences at every opportunity varying play left and right and driving through the middle.

And winger Jacob Tansey raced through from the right to feed flanker Ryan Wolfendan who touched down near the posts. and Tigers led 19-7 at the break.

Despite playing against the wind in the second period, Tansey bagged a second try after he collected a beautiful cross kick from captain Matt Riley and the bonus point was secured.

The visitors’ fifth try came when the ball was moved wide to the left which saw hooker Matt Gallagher race in for his second score and take him within touching distance of the club record of 34 for the season.

A further two tries was to follow with winger Rhys Henderson and full back Andy Riley touching down after multiple phases and inter-play between backs and forwards.

Collins added his fifth conversion of the afternoon to round off the scoring.

Sedgley are back at home against Loughborough Students on Saturday.