SEDGLEY Tigers kicked off the new season in sensational style with an eight-try demolition of Broadstreet at Park Lane on Saturday.

The 51-18 bonus point opening day victory put the Tigers top of National League Division Two North, and although surprised by the emphatic scoreline coach Geoff Roberts believes the Park Lane outfit has the team to remain at the top and secure promotion to League One at the third attempt this season.

"It was unexpected to win the game so convincingly," he told the Prestwich Guide.

"We played a fairly tight home fixture against them last year and they beat us at their place.

"It was a great performance and win but I still think there's more to come from us.

"The depth and quality of our pack is better than we've had in recent years so we can change our game plan perhaps a little bit more than we have in the past.

"There were a few shocks in some of the other games with a couple of what you would call challengers in Sale and Otley losing, so it's already shaping up to be quite an exciting season."

The Tigers raced into a 15-0 lead in the opening quarter against Broadstreet.

Man-of-the-match Shaun Manley scored the first unconverted try of the campaign from a line-out on six minutes and Steve Collins added a penalty.

Full-back Andy Riley scored the Tigers' second try on 11 minutes, which was converted by Steve Collins, before Daniel Richards scored Street's first points with a penalty.

Inside-centre Matt Riley powered through for try number three under the posts, which Collins again converted as the Tigers increased their advantage to 22-3.

A penalty allowed Street to bag their first try of the game with Nathan Tilsley scoring on 23 minutes.

Back-row Manley's second of the game also clinched the Tigers a bonus point, and Ben Lloyd powered over the fifth try on 38 minutes as the hosts led 34-8 at the break.

Winger Jamie Harrison notched up the sixth try on 53 minutes after good work from Rhodri Carlton Jones before Myles Bean pulled another try back for Broadstreet on the hour mark.

Andy Riley finished off another good move after hooker Johnny Matthews' effort was stopped just short of the line, to make it seven tries with a little over 10 minutes remaining. Carlton-Jones converted.

And number eight Matt Lamprey powered through for captain Matt Riley to complete the Tigers' try-scoring after Street had a ball turned over following a deep attack.

Riley received a yellow card for foul play six minutes from time and full-back Luke Hibberd took advantage of the extra man to score Street's third try with two minutes remaining.

"The quality of some of the rugby on display was fantastic, particularly in the first half," said Roberts.

"Our new signings all looked good. Shaun Manley had a fantastic game and Bob Birtwell also played well.

"Because we had a such a substantial scoreline at half time, new head coach Dean Schofield had the opportunity to have a look at different combinations and we were able to give all the players a lengthy run out."

The Tigers travel to league new boys South Leicester on Saturday.

"It will be an interesting game as we've never played them before so it will be good to go somewhere new," said Roberts.

"They were beaten in their first game away from home but will want to put that right in that first home game."

"We've still got some really good guys still to come in, so it's going to be a headache selection wise."