By Stephen Howard

SEDGLEY Park finished a disappointing season on a high note when they won the Lancashire Cup in front of a bumper bank holiday crowd.

The Tigers edged out Preston Grasshoppers, who they will be playing in National League Two North next season, 28-24 with a late try.

It was a positive way to finish a morale-crushing league season which ended in relegation.

Tigers lost their final National League One match the previous Saturday 106-12 at home to Loughborough Students.

Senior player Richard Oxley said the cup triumph gave the club a much-needed boost.

“There’s not been a whole lot to shout about this season so it was good to finish by winning the cup,” he said.

“It was by far the biggest crowd we’ve had at home, and the supporters were happy, which was great.

“We can all take that into the summer and hopefully get some momentum from it for next season.”

Tigers eventually took revenge on Preston, who beat them in last year’s final, after the lead changed hands until Billy Fisher’s late winning try.

“It was a tight game, and it was a good way to win,” said Oxley. “It was good to see people happy at the end.

“It was also good to see quite a young team out, which is a positive sign for next season.

“Although we’ve been relegated there are a lot of positives to take into next season.”

Oxley, who lives in Whitefield, will not be part of the team next term after deciding to retire from playing.

He has spent 12 years playing semi-professional and professional, starting at Sale before moving to Sedgley, Plymouth, Manchester and back to Sedgley seven years ago.

“I’ve played about 200 league games for Sedge and 260/270 in total,” he said.

“I’m very busy with work and can no longer put in the commitment you need to do as a senior player.

“You have to show the right example by being there for games, training and everything, and I’d struggle to do that now, so after 12 years that’s me done as a player, although I’ll still be involved in some way.

“It is a great club and I have really enjoyed my time there.”