Coach Geoff Roberts was delighted with Sedgley Tigers’ forward play as his side returned to winning ways with a a hard-fought victory in the battle of the big cats on Saturday.

The Park Lane outfit moved up to third place in National League Division Two North after the 39-20 victory against Leicester Lions, and Roberts was pleased with the workmanlike performance of his side.

“It seems like a convincing result but it was quite close,” he said.

“Even in the second half it was within two points. It was in no way an easy win, it was a hard fought one.

“In past encounters they have always been very good up front, very strong in the forwards but this time we won that battle.

“It was a pleasing win mainly because we came out on top in an area which we had failed in the past.

“We put some really good play together in places. It was a real workmanlike performance with some flashes of brilliance.”

The Tigers are away at 13th-placed Birmingham & Solihull on Saturday but Roberts is not being fooled by their lowly position in the fledgling table and is expecting another tough test.

“Birmingham put in a decent performance against leaders Ampthill last weekend so again we are expecting another difficult day out. We just have to make sure we are on top of our game, he added.”

The Tigers are currently joint third in the table with 14 points, six off the lead but Roberts prefers his Tigers side to be among the chasing pack rather than in the lead.

He said: “It’s not a bad thing to be just behind the leaders at this stage of the season. I’d rather be looking forward rather than over my shoulder.

“That’s the trouble with that top spot if you’ve got it, everyone is out to knock you off it. It only takes one bad day and it can upset your season.”

The Tigers took just two minutes to draw first blood on Saturday with captain Juan Crous going over for a try, converted by Matt Riley.

However, a penalty from Rory Lynn and an unconverted try from Nathan Donnachie gave the visitors an 8-7 lead after 20 minutes.

Richard Wainwright, back in contention after a family wedding, added two further tries, with Matt Riley converting one, either side of a second penalty from Lynn as the Tigers led 19-11 at the break.

Lynn reduced the deficit to three points with two more penalties early in the second half but Oliver Parkinson’s try, converted by Steve Collins, extended the Tigers’ lead to 26-17 on 54 minutes.

Lynn added his fifth penalty of the game but a late try from Jamie Harrison, a drop goal from Riley and a penalty and conversion from Collins eased the Tigers to victory.