An injury-hit Sedgley Park put up a brave fight but costly errors proved their downfall as they lost 40-22 away at National One leaders Rams on Saturday.

Against a team that had not lost all season, it was always going to be a tough test and preparations for the Tigers were hit when training injuries to prop Danny Rylance and centre Nathan Pope ruled them out.

Then, during the warm-up, number eight Lee Cox pulled his hamstring and would take no part.

Despite these setbacks, the visitors began well, playing with tempo and momentum building phases in the Rams half and a penalty from fly-half Warren Seals gave Sedgley a 3-0 lead within the first five minutes.

This was followed up eight minutes later with a brilliant try for winger Rhys Henderson, who collected a cross-field kick to touch down under the posts and Seals added the conversion to make it 10-0.

Sedgley tested the hosts’ defence at every opportunity but a yellow card for flanker Lewis Bradley shortly after meant they were down to 14 players for the next 10 minutes. Their defence was solid and we managed the period well, keeping Rams out.

A penalty on the half hour gave the home team their first score after a powerful catch-and-drive by the forwards and they reduced the lead to 10-7. However, Tigers hit back with a second try five minutes later after a well-worked forward drive which hooker Adam Mallinson touched down. Seals added the conversion to restor the 10-point lead going into the last eight minutes of the half.

Rams were awarded a penalty try in the 41st minute to reduce the score to 17-14 at the break - a great first-half performance by the Tigers where they dug deep and really took the game to Rams.

They knew the hosts would come out strongly in the second half, but a great line-break by right winger Henderson took the play deep into the Rams half two minutes into the second period. The loose ball was collected by left winger Albert Bradshaw who beat four or five defenders and touched down in the top right-hand corner before Seals added another conversion to make it 22-14.

Rams are a strong, disciplined team who are not unbeaten for nothing, and they hit back with their third try after another powerful catch-and-drive by the forwards five minutes later. And a fourth and bonus-point try in the 54th minute saw them take the lead 26-22.

The visitors did pressure their defence whenever they got the ball but they gave a number of penalties away which gave the hosts possession and territory and relieved pressure.

A second yellow card for second-row Bob Birtwell in the 69th minutes did not help and the home side went on to score two more converted tries as they sealed victory and extended their unbeaten run.

Coach Steve Hazzelby said: “The final score line does not reflect the overall performance, which with all things considered was very commendable.

“The effort and workrate of the whole squad cannot be questioned, but it is hard to win a game when you give away so many penalties and your scrum is under pressure.

“A special mention goes to two under-20s players, Ged Boylan (prop) and James O’Connell (hooker), who made their debuts.”

This Saturday Sedgley are at home in their first charity game for sick children against old rivals Rotherham - another powerful team who are currently third in the league, so this will be another huge challenge.