Both sides fielded a number of first teamers hoping to press their respective claims for a chance at first team glory. They served up a feast of rugby for the 300 hundred or so fans who turned out to watch the game under the recently refurbished floodlights, they certainly got their money's worth.

The Titans' game plan was to use runners in wide channels and the way the ball was moved around made for a very entertaining game:

"Fantastic night out...", "a really entertaining game played on a night perfect for free flowing rugby...", "hopefully we will see more Friday night rugby..." were just some of the comments made by the ecstatic supporters.

Sedgley Park competed from start to finish and contributed to the evening's entertainment, they quickly established an early lead and were ahead 24-15 at the break. But the Earth Titans, shaking off their flat start fought their way back to snatch victory in the dying moments.

The home side's start was poor. Costly mistakes handed the visitors a 10-0 lead after 5 minutes. A penalty in the first minute for a needless offside infringement from Sedgley Park's kick-off and a converted try on five minutes resulting from lost lineout ball 5 metres out gave Sedgley Park their unexpected start.

Twenty-seven points in reply – tries by fullback Claassens (13 minutes), two by winger Monye (16 and 41 minutes) and by hooker Hopcroft (50 minutes), a penalty (25 minutes) and two conversions by flyhalf Strauss – gave the Titans a slender lead before the closing stages. Sedgley Park in the meantime were adding to their own tally. A soft try on 20 minutes resulting from a poor pass which was intercepted from a full 70 metres out followed by second catch and drive try on 33 minutes - both converted - made the score 27-24 with half-an-hour to go.

The final 30 minutes was tense with both sides pressing for victory. Sedgely Park managed to bring the scores level with a penalty on 62 minutes. However, a red card on 75 minutes given to the Sedgley Park tighthead for dangerous stamping followed by a yellow card on 79 minutes - added to a previous yellow card on 46 minutes - for repeated offside offences did not help the visitor's cause.

So at 27 all the scene was set for the nail-biting climax. Another offside offence on 81 minutes left WP Strauss with a difficult kick from wide left. He held his nerve, duly obliged and converted the difficult three pointer to secure the 30-27 win.

However the drama was not yet over and another twist threatened. The deep re-start kick from Sedgley Park was fluffed by the home defence in the shadow of the Titans' posts and the resulting scrum almost caused apoplexy before the referee brought the night's proceeding to a close.

This side has not played together before and inevitably was a bit disjointed. Of concern, and it appears to be a perennial one with this season's vintage, is the weak defending that allowed the visitors to put points on the board in 4 out of their 5 first-half visits the Titans' 22.

The pack was tested to the full by their counterparts; the Sedgley Park loosehead had an outstanding game. However, they rose to the challenge with Sam Walsh, Adam Hopcroft and Tim Maslanyk - with Attie Pienaar joining in the second half - putting in solid performances.

WP Strauss playing out of position at flyhalf looked the business, as did Errie Claassens who looked impressive going forward. Greg Mitchell was incisive and young scrumhalf Alex Drage showed promise. Ndubuisi Monye is making a decent start to his rugby career. Strong and quick, the Londoner has the potential to become a real threat to any team. ND has raw talent, his pace and power at this level was evident on the night; he had a hand in three of the tries.

Man of the match, for the way he held his nerve at the close to secure the win was WP Strauss.

Earth Titans:
Errie Claassens; Ben McPhearson (Dave Bolton 40), John Holtby (Will Kirtley 40), Greg Mitchell (Capt.), ND Monye; WP Strauss, Alex Drage;  Sam Walsh, Adam Hopcroft (Jonny Larby 66), Jamie Kilbane (Attie Pienaar 40), Tim Maslanyk, Rob Walton (Nathan Pike 51), Nick Barrett (Carl Griffiths 51), Joe Earp (Nick Barrett 51), Richard Sawyer (Craig West 76).

Scorers:
ND Monye (2T), Errie Claassens (1T), Adam Hopcroft (1T), WP Strauss (2P 2C).

NORTHERN A LEAGUE (Standings after Friday evening):

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