SEDGLEY Tigers closed the gap on National Two North's second-placed side Sale FC to just two points following Saturday's 11-try mauling of lowly Scunthorpe.

Coach Geoff Roberts admitted to having some sympathy for their opposition as his players crossed the line time and again in the 67-14 victory over the division's second-bottom side.

Full-back Andy Riley touched down five times and winger Sam Lowthian bagged a hat-trick in the crushing win, which was kicked off by a try from Richard Lepori in the fourth minute and also included scores for Max Skofic and substitute Callum McShane.

The Park Lane men secured their bonus point – for running in four tries just – on 34 minutes, but continued to pile on the agony after that, outscoring the visitors by five tries to two in the opening half and adding six without reply after the break.

And with Sale FC losing at home to leaders Caldy, Roberts admits it was the "perfect day".

"We are the sort of side that, once we have wrestled control of a game we have the ability to run riot, and we certainly did that against Scunthorpe," he said.

"I think we must be a nightmare to play against when we get going, there was just no let-up.

"Scunthorpe could not handle our pace. When the two wide men – Sam Lowthian and Richard Lepori – started running at them, and Andy Riley began linking up with the forwards, there was no stopping us."

The result and performance continued on from the previous match, when Sedgley scored seven tries in a 39-8 win against Wharfedale.

And while Scunthorpe have the worst defensive record in the division, conceding 443 points from their opening 14 matches, Roberts was quick to point out that no other team had managed to win against them so convincingly.

"The leaders Caldy ran in nine tries against Scunthorpe but no other team in the division has come close to what we achieved," he said.

"In fact, no other side in the division has managed to score more than six tries in any game this season."

Roberts believes Sedgley's rich vein of form bodes well for the remainder of the campaign, which will reach the halfway point on Saturday when the Tigers travel to Chester.

"National Two North is very tight this year, our results are testament to that, so I think it is still all to play for," Roberts said.

"The three games we have lost have been by very tight margins – six, three and one points – and we were very unfortunate in the two matches we have drawn.

"We have also been unlucky with injuries, using 33 players so far.

"But despite losing at Sale recently, our two wins since that defeat, coupled with Sale's loss at Caldy, means we are just two points behind them in the play-off spot, which is not a bad position to be in.

"There is no doubt Caldy (who are 11 points better off than Sedgley) are in the best position, with both us and Sale still to play at their place, but I would always prefer to be the ones chasing."