Fourth place in the National League One is Park's final resting place

It was only a strong second half performance that saved Park’s blushes, after trailing Sedgley Park by eight points at the interval.

Saturday's four-try bonus point won sees Park end the season on 100 points and secures fourth position in the table (barring Old Albanians winning their game in hand by more than 200 points).

That is a one-place improvement on last season, and means that the departing head coach Jan Bonney can leave for pastures new having maintained the club’s upward trajectory.

Park started as if they were determined to end the season on a high.

Almost from kick-off they won a penalty, which fly half Dan Mugford punted to touch and winger Nev Edwards went very close to scoring before he was bundled into touch.

Racing through: Park's Dan Mugford breaks through the Sedgley defence   Picture: David Whittam

Regaining possession, a try-scoring pass was knocked-on by flanker Ben Lonergan’s outstretched fingertips with the line at his mercy.

Skipper Harry Rowland actually crossed the line but was brought back for an earlier knock-on.

A super run into the 22 by Edwards brought with it a penalty from which full-back Sam Katz finally put his side ahead on eight minutes.

However, pretty much the first time Tigers got into Park territory they won a penalty for Matt Riley to equalise.

Park replied by turning over possession and when Mugford was felled by a high-tackle Katz restored the lead with a further penalty on 12 minutes.

Sedgley may have spent most of their time defending, but unlike the visitors when they did attack they made it count.

Awarded a scrum inside the Park 22, Tigers’ impressive lock Juan Crous picked up the ball and the only defender – scrum half Matt Heeks – had no chance of stopping the big man from crashing over, Riley adding the conversion for 10-6 to the home side.

Park replied with another big attack, deep into the home 22 and when awarded another penalty Katz took the three points on offer.

Park soon had a further penalty, but this time the kick failed to find touch and the home side cleared with compound interest.

When a home throw went right over the line-out a promising move was started by Lonergan, driven on by Tom Baldwin and Steve Hamilton very nearly drove over.

Captain marvel: Park skipper Harry Rowlands strains to break free of a stubborn Sedgley pack    Picture: David Whittam

Park gained a penalty, Mugford took a quick tap and they were off again but a poor pass saw the ball ripped away, and home winger Jamie Harrison promptly showed how it’s done as he scorched up the wing and then cut inside to give Riley an easy conversion for an improbable 17-9 on 33 minutes.

Park went back at them and set up a massive attack in the home 22: Baldwin, Ovens, Heeks, McDonald, Rowland, Broughton and Vincent all had individual attempts to get over but with the try looking inevitable they yet again contrived to knock on.

The interval came at 17-9 and all Park’s pressure had yielded not a single try.

The home side started the second half strongly, but Park soon wrested back control and hit them with three tries in the space of 10 minutes.

Try time: Park get on the scoresheet again in the second half come back at Sedgley Park    Picture: David Whittam

David Vincent nearly scored, chasing a kick through the middle but unluckily knocked on while attempting to pick up the ball at full speed and full stretch.

The home side tried to run the ball out of defence but a smart interception by Hamilton saw him cross the line unopposed, Katz’ conversion taking his side within a point at 17-16.

Straight back on the attack, Park won a penalty inside the 22, kicked to touch and drove over from the throw, Lonergan claiming the spoils and Katz converting.

The third came with a gift card attached as Vincent latched onto a poor pass for another interception try, and Katz’ kick made it 30-17.

Park went all out for the fourth try that would bring up the bonus point. Vincent made a powerful run. A good move following a lineout saw yet another knock-on. A drive to the line was spoilt by a forward pass.

In the end the score came in the simplest of ways, a quick tap penalty by Mugford invited Dom Shabbo to skip in past some poor defending on the right.

Katz’ conversion gave his side a winning 37-17 lead with eight minutes left.

Inside the last five minutes, the home side gained a penalty inside the 22, took a tap and prop Nick Flynn got over for a consolation try to bring the final score to 37-24.