Sedgley Park fought hard to overcome a stubborn Barking side at the weekend despite having their game plan scuppered by atrocious weather conditions.

So accustomed to a free-flowing style of rugby, the Park Lane faithful had to settle for a good old fashioned scrap as their side claimed a 23-8 victory over their struggling visitors.

Despite sitting second from bottom of the National North One table and being without a win since October, the ‘Dogs’ started the brighter of the two sides.

Chris Aswin despatched an early penalty for Barking after just seven minutes and they continued to impress.

Sedgley were playing second fiddle on home soil and it took valiant defensive efforts from both Richard Wainwright and captain Garth Drew to keep the hosts in the game during the opening stages.

These efforts came at a cost, however, with both players suffering injuries and needing to be replaced – debutant back Tom Leader replacing Wainwright.

Such early blows to their opponents should have offered Barking the incentive, but instead the Tigers began to find a foothold in the game.

Though the horrendous weather conditions caused Matt Riley to miss his side’s first notable chance with a penalty, he was on hand to convert soon after as Fergus Owen claimed the first try of the game following a clever chip and chase on the quarter hour mark.

Riley kicked six more before the break to hand his side a 13-3 half-time lead.

Will Nelson offered Barking a glimmer of hope 10 minutes into the second period with a scrappy try, but that hope was extinguished 13 minutes from time as the outstanding Richard Oxley fended off a number of tacklers to cross the try-line.

Unlike Nelson’s, Oxley’s effort was converted and the Tigers battled to a fifth win in six to inflict a fifth consecutive loss on their lowly visitors.

Sedgley now sit eighth, and following a difficult October, will be more positive about the season ahead.

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