Tigers cool over big freeze (From Prestwich and Whitefield Guide)

Tigers cool over big freeze

7:10am Thursday 14th January 2010

• Print
• Email
• Share

SEDGLEY Tigers chief executive Geoff Roberts has vowed the club has the resources to cope with the raft of recent postponements caused by the severe winter weather.

So far the Tigers have had three matches — including two at home — wiped out and with the Park Lane pitch still covered in deep snow, play is uinlikely in the near future.

They have not played competively since the 35-18 defeat at Cinderford on December 12.

They are due to travel to Tynedale in the North East on Saturday for a National League One fixture which will kick off at 2pm, if conditions permit.

But it will depend on the state of the pitch tomorrow and the weather forecast for the following day.

Sedgley have been using their gym at Park Lane to maintain fitness levels among their players and they have been using the Soccer Dome at Trafford to continue training.

“We are doing everything we can to help the lads stay fit,” said Roberts. “Obviously, it’s not the same as playing and not the same as training on a playing field, but you can only do what is possible.

“From a financial point of view, we are suffering from a little bit of a lull. But we had a good Christmas, and we have a good set-up at the club with function facilities, and they have continued to bring revenue in.

“Everything had ticked over clubhouse-wise over the New Year period, but in terms of playing it affects the youth sides more than anything else.

“All the games have still to come for the senior team, so the revenue comes back to you.

“We had two blank Saturdays, so those have now been filled, and there is the option for the RFU to extend the season if it is deemed necessary.

“If we play this week, we have one extra match, which could conceivably be played at Easter with a double-header, but we will have to wait and see.”

Meanwhile, head coach Rich Senior reported that captain Chris Wilkinson and Dean Williams are fit enough to play although Chris Hall has picked up a knock playing five-a-side football and Mike Roberts is also unavailable for the Tynedale journey.

Senior said: “The lads have enjoyed the change in the routine for training caused by the bad weather.

“It has lifted us and we are confident about our fitness for the weekend, if the game goes ahead.

“Tynedale is a difficult place to go. They play wide open and they know how to play the conditions. They play good rugby and we'll have to match them in order to get a result.

“We’ve had good support away recently, and there may be one or two people who make the trip and we want to make sure we put on a show for them.”

• Print
• Email
• Share