SEDGLEY Tigers coach Geoff Roberts is hoping his side can go one further than their fourth-place finish last season and reach National League One.

The Division Two promotion contenders shook off a dreadful pre-season, which saw the cancellation of both friendly matches against Fylde and welsh side GMC, to open their campaign with a 24-15 home success over Broadsheet on Saturday.

The Riley brothers were the catalysts in the victory with inside-centre Matt kicking three penalties, while full-back Andy touched down a brace of tries as the Tigers beat the newly-promoted side.

“It wasn’t a particularly good game,” said Roberts.

“We had one or two problems with our pre-season friendlies, so it was our first competitive game and we were a bit rusty.”

Over the summer the Tigers lost three experienced players – Louis McGowan, Jimmy Lloyd and Johnny Bishop.

They have, however, added five new additions in Jack Corr from Longton, Macclesfield duo David Blackwell and Ryan Parkinson, Cameron Thompson from Fylde and Rhys Davies from Loughborough.

“The new enthusiasm we have brought in this season should help us to adapt,” said Roberts.

“They have all played at a decent level in this league and above, which gives us the additional strength in depth.”

The Tigers were depleted for their first league game with a number of players unavailable.

“We were missing prop Ben Black, number 10 Steve Collins, Mike Waywell, Jamie Harrison, Parkinson, Thompson and Corr, who has had surgery on his shoulder, so we were a bit depleted but we got through it in the end.

“A win is a win. We’ve just got to hope it turns into a good start for us.”

Matt Riley’s third-minute penalty gave Roberts’ side the perfect start against Broadsheet but Tigers had to wait until the 21st minute to extend the lead through a Callum McShane unconverted try.

Riley landed his second penalty nine minutes later to put Tigers 11-0 up.

Ben Cooper kicked a penalty and converted Nick Thatcher’s try as the visitors fought back to within one point at the break.

Matt Riley notched up his third penalty in the second period to give the Tigers a 14-10 lead and then sibling Andy completed the scoring with two further unconverted tries either side of Jeff Gregson’s effort for Broadsheet.