By Claire Cameron

COACH Geoff Roberts was delighted with Sedgley Tigers’ forward play as his side returned to winning ways with a a hard-fought 39-20 victory in the battle of the big cats on Saturday.

The Sedgley Park 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 come out on top in an area which we had failed in the past.

“It was a real workmanlike performance with some flashes of brilliance.”

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

Roberts added: “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.”

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

“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,” he said.

The Tigers took just two minutes to draw first blood 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 a 8-7 lead after 20 minutes.

Richard Wainwright 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.

Lynn added his fourth 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.