TO utilise that well known sporting saying, the Tigers 'can now concentrate on the league,' after going out of the EDF National Trophy at the Fourth Round stage to Nottingham.

SEDGLEY PARK           14

NOTTINGHAM              31 

EDF NATIONAL TROPHY ROUND 4 

IN bright but blustery conditions a scratch Tigers side took on a strong Nottingham outfit and the difference between the two was evident as early as the fourth minute.

Nottingham was allowed to move the ball right to left, with Kiwi hooker Joe Duffey driving into contact. Play was then switched the opposite way and ineffective tackling allowed prop Neil Fowkes to crash over in the right corner. Tim Barlow stroked over the conversion and the visitors led 0-7.

Considering Sedgley’s entire first choice front five were being rested, the forwards were effective in the tight, with driving mauls and catch-and-drives pushing the Nottingham pack onto the back foot.

However, 10 minutes later the visitors’ forwards worked the phases after a catch-and-drive from a lineout 20 metres from the Sedgley line and powered their way over, with lock Sam Raven getting the touchdown to extend his side’s lead to 12 points.

The Tigers began to step up their effort and with Matt Riley’s boot once more kicking them into Nottingham territory they began to exert some pressure through familiar faces Jon Skurr and skipper Jimmy Ponton, with Jason Duffy, enjoying a rare start in the unfamiliar position of fly-half, switching the point of attack.

Awarded a penalty on their own 10-metre line, Riley converted it into a lineout on the Nottingham 22 out on the left. With possession won the Tigers probed the Nottingham defence for a weakness through Skurr, Voortman, Ponton and Gareth ‘Tank’ Roberts, forcing Nottingham to concede another penalty. A quick tap-and-go set up the charge and a couple of pick-and-goes from the resulting rucks saw Ben Lloyd show his strength and power to drive over in the corner, with Riley adding the extras to make it 7-12 at the turnaround.

With the wind at their backs more was expected of the Tigers in the second half, but unfamiliarity in their ranks – only to be expected with nine first choice players rested and the whole bench utilised, five of whom were making their competitive first team debuts – saw Nottingham achieve their goal.

Three further tries (in the 49^th minute through Craig Hammond from a catch–and-drive; the 55^th minute  when Kevin Brennan darted over from the base of a five-metre scrum; and 63^rd minute when winger Josh Kay showed a good turn of speed to go over in the right corner), two converted, put the visitors into the fifth round.

But the never-say-die Tigers did add to their total 10 minutes from time. Good pressure resulted in a Sedgley scrum five metres from the Nottingham line and with the point of attack switched, a well-timed miss-pass from Duffy out to Henry Monsell saw the winger scoot over on the left, with Riley’s boot adding the conversion.

The Tigers may well be out of this year’s cup competition, but with the club’s aim of establishing itself firmly in ND1 through achieving a mid-table finish well on track despite an horrendous injury list, there is still a lot or rewarding rugby left to look forward to.

SEDGLEY PARK: Riley, Monsell, Craig, T. Albinson, Voortman (58 P. Roberts), Duffy, Leck (47 Kohler), G. Roberts (77 Duckworth), M. Jones (46 Keys, 71 Clegg), Gazzola (45 Du Plessis), Livesey, Lloyd, Ponton (48 M. Jones), Newton, Skurr (62 Redfern). Tries: Lloyd (35) and Monsell (69). Conversions: Riley 2. 

NOTTINGHAM: Thompson, Kay, Jackson, Dodge (53 Meek), Logan, Barlow (58 Stenhouse), Brennan (56 Springall), Fowkes (59 Parr), Duffey, Hopkins, Raven, Morley, Hammond, Loney (62 Corcoran), Montagu (56 Stannard). Replacement not used: Hall. Tries: Fowkes (4), Raven (13), Hammond (49), Brennan (55) and Kay (63). Conversions: Barlow (3).