SEDGLEY Park moved to within a point of top spot in National Two North after Saturday’s 48-26 win at home to Blaydon.

Callum McShane set the tone for the Tigers, finishing off a blistering team try with less than a minute on the clock.

And they went on to score three more tries in the opening half to go into the break leading 28-0.

Yet the visitors produced a stunning fightback, moving to within four points after just 15 minutes of the second half, only for Sedgley to coast away with a three-try blitz in the final 10 minutes.

The high-scoring game secured a 12th bonus point in 12 matches for the Park Lane side, leaving them just one point behind joint leaders Tynedale, Hinckley and Stourbridge.

“We produced some great tries in what was a really good, open game played in horrible conditions, but the gem of the afternoon was our opener,” said Roberts.

“I don’t know how many hands it went through, but it was a fabulous move. The ball went across the whole back line, with every player backing up so there was always someone to pass it to before Callum finished it off.”

McShane added another try in the opening half, along with one from Andy Riley and one from Scott Harrison to put Sedgley in total control by the break.

But, as Roberts revealed, a half-time blast from the Blaydon coach had a remarkable response.

“We just blew them away in that opening period. Their coach said they were ‘well and truly done and dusted’.

“He said he gave them a roasting at half time and they came out really up for it.

“It is not the first time this season we have lost our focus after taking a big lead.”

But after Blaydon pulled it back to 28-24, late tries from substitute Hallam Chapman, Andy Riley and James Lloyd ensured Sedgley stretched their unbeaten run to three matches.

And while they remain in fourth place, the title race is well and truly on, with just two points separating the top five.

Roberts added: “I’ve not seen the top of the table so close at this stage of the season for a long time. But while it is a talking point, the title race is something I try not to think about.

“The key thing is just to concentrate on the next game. Titles are just a result of winning games, so that’s what we try to concentrate on, the rest will take care of itself.”