A SCINTILLATING first-half display saw Sedgley Park back to winning ways last weekend when Leicester Lions were despatched at Park Lane.

The Tigers came flying out of the traps and had the game all but won by the midway point – four first-half tries leading to a 29-7 advantage at half time.

The tries came from Danny Maher, Will Lees, Callum McShane and Jamie Harrison with three conversions and a penalty from Andy Riley adding to the scoreline.

And while a further score came from Rob Holloway in the second period, team manager Geoff Roberts admitted it was the first-half performance that won the game.

He told the Bury Times: “We had the game virtually sewn up by half time.

“We were too strong for Leicester and did a great job in that first half.

“We had a few missing like Stevie Collins, Ben Black, Jimmy Lloyd and Max Scofic as well so we did really well.

“We didn’t allow them to play and you can see they are a good side when they are allowed to play.

“The fact it was all but done by half time allowed us to use our substitutes and give a few younger players some experience.

“Admittedly, there were some mistakes in the second half and we only added one try but the game was always going to get looser with such a good lead.”

“The hard work was done in the first half and to have five different try scorers was pleasing as well.”

With rivals at the top Stourbridge, who beat Sedgley seven days earlier, slipping to defeat against fifth-placed Tynedale, it has made the top five places in National Two North even closer.

The Tigers sit fourth on 86 points, just eight off leaders Sale and one behind third-placed Hinckley with a game in hand. Stourbridge are second on 89 points, having also played a game more than Roberts’ men.

It all sets it up for an intriguing last two months of the season and Roberts is relishing the run-in to what has been a good campaign for the Park Lane outfit.

He added: “I had a feeling Stourbridge would find it tough against Tynedale and they have some more big games on the horizon.

“I think they may struggle to stay up there but we have to stay focused on ourselves.

“Our games may look easier on paper but we cannot take anything for granted.”

One of those so-called easier games is up next with an away trip to Wharfdale scheduled for Saturday, but Roberts says the weather may intervene.

He added: “It is looking bleak with temperatures so low this week but there is nothing we can do about the weather.”