Their very first ground was a farmer’s field in Whitefield and despite their name the club has never been based at Sedgley Park.
Despite primitive conditions, with a cowshed for changing and a farmyard pump for washing – the club thrived.
A clubhouse was built and three teams were playing when World War Two broke out in 1939.
They survived the war years and a difficult period afterwards when they lost their rented ground.
For two years all games were away with barely enough players for two teams until in 1955 they moved to their present site, Park Lane in Whitefield.
Then followed an immediate improvement in playing standards.
During the next 20 years Sedgley Park became a successful and respected junior club and a two-storey clubhouse was completed in time for their Golden Jubilee in 1982 – just before the introduction of leagues.
An early promotion followed by a run of success
The club began in North West Two (Level Eight) and gained promotion to North West One at the first attempt, then remained there for seven seasons.
In the 1990s Sedge won three successive promotions, and in 2001, another helped them reach National League Two, Level Three of the English game.
Amenities improved accordingly.
Tigers attained National League One status in 2004, their sixth promotion since 1987, but were relegated back to Level Three in 2009.
They dropped down again after five seasons before winning National League Two North by a runaway 12 points in 2022/23.
Rams end remarkable home streak
Rams beat Sedgley 41-20 in a gripping tussle in the first game between the sides in September 2023, a result which ended a 24-match winning home run at Park Lane.
The Berkshire men completed a double with a 28-7 triumph at Old Bath Road the following January.
Rams then made it three from three against Tigers with a come-from-behind 40-22 home success in November 2024.
Park, though, gained revenge as they twice came from 21 points down to win 34-33 back five months later.
Tomek Pozniak, Axel Kalling-Smith, Dan Swain, Andrew Lamb and Oli Rhoads dotted down with Fraser Honey adding eight points with the boot.
Clow seals it at the death
In the opening game of this season, Zach Clow’s late try proved decisive in securing a dramatic 24-18 away win.
Things began poorly for Rams as Zane Ainslee crossed midway through the opening quarter, Josh Ree converting before his penalty extended the lead to 10-0.
But a penalty try from a scrum got the visitors on the board before Ree landed another three points.
Max Hayman crossed to make it 13-12 at the interval, Rams in front early in the second half as Axel Kalling-Smith opened his seasonal account after grounding Ellis Jones’ kick ahead.
Lewis Bradley went over for Park to claim a 19-18 advantage on 49 minutes, but Clow struck at the death to ensure a bonus-point win, Mike Cooke with a fine conversion.
To book tickets for the final game of the season (discounted before matchday), click here
