SEDGLEY Tigers assistant coach Steve Hazzleby says spirits are high ahead of a “massive” challenge at Tynedale this Saturday.

The Tigers secured a 28-24 victory at home to relegation-threatened Huddersfield last weekend, leaving them third in the National Two North table, hot on the tails of second-placed Fylde.

And the coach was delighted his side managed to snatch victory, despite missing several first-teamers through a combination of injuries and sickness.

“This was a very hard, uncompromising game which either side could have won but in the end it was the sheer effort and heart of this marvellous bunch of players that pulled us through,” he said.

“The early exchanges were pretty even with both sides testing each other out and had the lead at half-time.

“We started the second half very well with pace and tempo and despite going behind we kept batting away at the Huddersfield line and came away with a hard-fought win and a bonus point.”

Huddersfield opened the scoring in the 18th minute as a well-worked catch and drive put Joshua Crickmay over but the Tigers continued to test their opponents’ defence with good driving play by the forwards which was rewarded with a try for centre Sam Lowthian after he powered through two defenders.

Steve Collins added the conversion to make it 7-5 with 25 minutes on the clock.

Huddersfield retook the lead after some good individual play from their centre saw Crickmay score again but Collins then got free and excellent support from Lowthian gave him his second try and the Tigers a 14-10 lead at the interval.

The hosts then seemingly put themselves well in command with winger Adam Cheshire taking Collins’ fine cross-kick before off-loading to full-back Leon Simpson who went under the posts.

A successful conversion meant an 11-point lead but a penalty try for the visitors reduced the arrears to just four on 54 minutes and put them right back in the game.

Huddersfield then went ahead with 10 minutes to play, a converted try from Lewis Bradley giving them a 24-21 advantage. The Tigers dug deep however and a great run from winger Jamie Harrison, supported by fellow winger Cheshire, took the play deep into the Huddersfield 22.

With the Huddersfield line under siege Sedgley were rewarded with a fourth try from man-of-the-match Collins. He converted his own score to make sure of the win.

The Tigers now travel to Tynedale, 11th in the 16-team standings, full of confidence.

“Next Saturday is another massive challenge on the long road up to Tynedale. Spirits are high and we are all looking forward to putting in a great performance,” said Hazzleby.