E.F.E. Junior Rugby Challenge(Lancashire Cup, Under 16): There was an air of great expectation for this important fixture, as both teams were joint top of Pool D on the morning of the match.

Sedgley took immediate advantage of the excellent conditions when Jonty Poward scored under the post in the first few minutes.

This, the result of a high, teasing kick from Thomas Leader, a fortuitous bounce and the pace of Poward. Leader added the extra two points.

Callum Nish was next to get on the scoresheet, driving over for a cheeky try following a shortened lineout. Leader, added the conversion, this time from the touch line.

Will Bate was next to score, stealing possession from the base of the visitors scrum and crossing the line for another converted try.

Sedgley were in full flow by this time, their hardworking forwards generating an almost endless supply of ball.

Poward and then Leader finished off neat moves leaving the half time score at 33 - 0.

The second half was a scrappy affair, mainly due to Manchester's lack of discipline and spoiling tactics.

However, to their credit Sedgley stood firm in the face of some extreme provocation.

Will Bate's second try, a solo effort, was the only score of a shortened second half.

This was an important result and an excellent, allround performance for the home team.

Their next game in this competition is an away trip to Fleetwood in early February, where a win will secure a home tie for Park in the quarter final.

Sedgley Park 14

Blackburn 22

(Lancashire Cup, Under 15)

There was not a great deal of difference in either skill or fitness between the two sides that met at Park Lane in Sunday's cup game.

Blackburn had a slightly bigger and stronger pack, but Sedgley had the stronger and faster backs.

The advantage see-sawed fairly evenly between the two sides all the way through the game, but Sedgley's inability to win the ball on the ground meant the Sedgley backs never really had the opportunity to bring their skills into play.

This, plus some silly penalties caused by back-chatting the referee, tipped this closely fought game into the opposition's favour.

Forwards Alex French and Todd Keers fought hard to break through the Blackburn lines but were all too often isolated going to ground.

Chris Drogan, Lewis Warburton, Rory Hicks, Josh Horner and Joe Holt - all defended out of their skins.

Sedgley's two tries came from Joe Holt (40, converted by Todd Keers) and Todd Keers (65, converted by Jack Roper).

Rochdale 6

Sedgley Park 3

MINIS (Under 8s)

The weather and swamp pitch conditions did not prevent the usual enthusiastic play from Sedgley Park's youngest side.

The first half saw great tries from Connor Melvin and Ben Baguley.

Rochdale evened up proceedings and then took a lead at the end of the first half.

Cameron Mundy scored Sedgley's third try. Despite great tagging from Adam Brimeloe, Daniel Lewis and Caitlin Knight, and fantastic debuts from Michael Orrell and Jack Cullen, Rochdale secured victory.

As usual there was a spirited performance from the whole Sedgley team.