Sedgley Park RUFC extends a warm welcome to the players, officials and supporters of Sefton Rugby Club who visit Park Lane today in search of a 3rd round place in the Giro-bank Lancashire Trophy.

Sefton reached this 2nd round stage by easily overcoming Sedgley's neighbours, Bury - somewhat to the disappointment of Sedgley members who would have relished a first-ever 1st XV meeting with the club just down the road. Sedgley's first round opponents were Burtonwood, comfortably beaten despite Sedgley being far below full strength on the day. Two Sedgley players, arriving at Burtonwood, were greeted by the home captain who thought they might be playing for him. Enough said!

Sedgley Park and Sefton have not met since the 1984/85 season. The following year saw the introduction of league rugby and one or two fixtures had to go to accommodate the new ones; the Sefton fixture was one such, and we are delighted to see them back again today - though Sedgley had previously regarded Sefton as a bogey side, a team that would soak up pressure like a sponge and go on to win a game in which they had been outplayed.

In any event, we look forward to an interesting and well-contested game today. The referee is John Verbikas, and we wish him a successful and enjoyable match.