By Ian Bolland

SEDGLEY Tigers’ first-team manager, Geoff Roberts, believes home form could be key to his team’s survival hopes. The Whitefield men sit third from bottom, 12 points from safety, but with players returning from injury, Roberts is confident that with seven of their remaining 13 games at home, they can get out of trouble. “We’ve still got to pick things up on the road as well, but of course the home games are going to be the key.”

The Tigers have proved they can compete with any of the teams in the league having managed to beat this weekend’s opponents, sixth-placed Blackheath, at home earlier in the season.

But Sedgley have been troubled with injuries in the second row, meaning many players have had to play out of position.

However, Roberts believes those returning from the sidelines can bring more quality to the team to help them out of trouble. He said: “Even when we started the season off, we had props in the second row, which can affect the balance of the side, especially in things like line-outs.”

Despite losing their last two games, the Tigers’ boss admitted it was frustrating their home game against Lancashire rivals Fylde was called off, but he took the positive view that the postponement gave a chance for more players to become available.

“I would imagine if you were on a roll you’d want to play. We’ve just got a couple of players back, and we should have Garth Dew, Louis McGowan and Jimmy Lloyd back in the next couple of weeks.

“The main injury problem for us has been in the second row and we really are hoping we can do much better when we get them back.”

Two of Sedgley’s games have been rearranged. They travel to fellow strugglers Macclesfield on February 9, with Fylde’s visit rearranged for February 23.

lTigers are hosting a fundraising evening with former British Lions and Wales international Scott Quinnell the guest on Friday, May 3.

The evening will raise money for the club’s junior sections.

Tables of 10 are available at £350 or individual places are also available, with some seats on Quinnell’s table.

For more information, or to book, call Paul on 07896327945.