SEDGLEY Tigers moved back up to third in National Two North after leapfrogging Leicester Lions following a 36-27 win against the Midlanders.

Tries from Ben Black, Juan Crous, Matt Riley, Andy Riley and George Hymes saw the Park Lane outfit open up a 36-15 lead.

And, after Richard Wainwright was shown a yellow card, they survived a late fightback from the Lions to claim a third straight victory.

Sedgley topped the table early in the season before dropping as low as sixth following a poor start to 2017.

But they followed up consecutive wins against Sheffield Tigers and fellow high-flyers Stourbridge with another solid performance on Saturday to claim what coach Geoff Roberts believes is their rightful place as leading promotion challengers.

Table-toppers Caldy and second-placed Sale, who are in the promotion play-off spot, remain well clear, but the Tigers coach has not given up hope of reeling them in.

“Our next home game is against Sale and they still have to play Caldy,” said Roberts, whose side are 18 points behind Sale with six matches remaining.

“A lot of our missing or injured players were back for Saturday’s game, and it showed. It was a really enjoyable contest, with both sides playing good rugby, so it was great to come out on top.

“I think performances against the Lions and Stourbridge show we are back in our rightful place.”

Sedgley travel to Harrogate on Saturday before the visit of Sale on March 25. All former players are invited to a reunion before that match, with a buffet lunch planned from 12.30pm.