DESPITE Sedgley Tigers ending their season in defeat at Broadstreet on Saturday, the Park Lane outfit did enough to clinch third place in National League Two North, and now delighted coach Geoff Roberts is targeting winning the division next season.

Regardless of the result, the Tigers, who began the final game of the season four points clear of joint fourth-placed sides Chester, Harrogate and .... needed to score at least four tries in order to secure a top-three berth.

And the Park Lane outfit looked like they would do that in style after scoring three tries in the opening 10 minutes to lead 19-0.

But, despite scoring the all-important fourth try on the hour mark, a fightback by the home side saw the Tigers lose 35-26 to secure third place on points difference over Harrogate.

"We nicked third place so I'm really pleased," said Roberts.

"Since Christmas that has always been our aim.

"There was no chance that we were going to finish in the top two so we knew third was the next best thing.

"We finished one place higher than last year so next year we want to do even better and win it," he said.

The Tigers, who could have finished as low as sixth place had results not gone their way, opened the scoring with two quick-fire converted tries from Matt Riley and another effort from Callum McShane.

Riley scored his first on four minutes and added a second just three minutes later.

McShane went over for the Tigers' third try on 10 minutes and with two conversions, the Tigers stormed into a 19-0 lead after 10 minutes.

However, a 21-point run from Broadsheet saw the hosts take the lead for the first time.

But back came Sedgley with Ben Black scoring the fourth try on 61 minutes. Steve Collins added the conversion as the Tigers led 26-21.

The hosts hit back with a try on 69 minutes to level the score at 26-26 before securing a 35-26 win with a converted breakaway try with eight minutes of the game remaining.

"We expected a tough game and we got one," said Roberts.

"We seemed to get on the wrong side of referee Karl Kirkpatrick with penalty after penalty going against us, which meant Broadsheet kept getting field position, which was disappointing.

"Obviously we wanted the win but we knew four tries would be enough and we got three of those in the first 10 minutes.

"The fourth try was slow coming but we got it in the end."

"We were in front for most of the game but we didn't have time to come back after their final try."

The Tigers, who were again missing several key players for the season finale, will be forced into making personnel changes for next season.

"We were a bit threadbare again against Broadsheet.

"Billy Emerson pulled out with injury on Friday and Riley was forced off with a pulled muscle in his hip during the game.

"We have some recruiting to do over the summer now.

"We are definitely losing Emerson and Richard Wainwright as both have moved to London for work.

"Rhys Davies will be going back to university so we'll lose him too, and possibly Jack Corr.

"Centre Mike Waywell is returning but we are probably looking for a full-back and a back row."