SEDGLEY Tigers general manager Geoff Roberts is hoping for a happier new year for the team after they signed off for the festive break with a victory against Wharfedale.

The Tigers had lost their previous two outings but won 20-15 at Park Lane and sit seventh in National Two North after an injury-ravaged first half of the campaign.

However, with players coming back after the break, Roberts is confident the Tigers will be back to some consistent form when they return to full strength.

He said: “Saturday was the first game of the second half of the fixtures and it was good to get a win going into the break.

“Hopefully, when we get into January we will have more players back from injury and will be back to more like our old selves.

“It has been difficult but you just get on with it.

“In the second half on Saturday against Wharfedale we were more like us with our play.”

An early try from Andy Riley set Tigers on their way at the weekend and then a late score from Leon Simpson with 11 minutes to go sealed the win, Steve Collins also kicking two conversions and two penalties.

And while the fin al few minutes were nail-biting for all concerned with Sedgley, Roberts felt his side deserved the win.

He added: “Our first try was an absolute gem.

“We crossed the field a number of times and the forwards were involved and Stevie Collins played a beautiful chip over their defensive line for Andy Riley to race away and score.

“In the second half, we showed a lot of our old form.

“Overall in the game in general, they had the majority of the possession but we won the game because of our defence.

“They had big forwards but could not break us down.

“We made the most of our good chances and even though the last five minutes were nervy, we deserved the victory.

Sedgley now have a two week break without a game before they return to action on Saturday, January 5 at Otley.