GENERAL manager Geoff Roberts has hailed a fantastic season for Sedgley Park, whatever the outcome after their final game this weekend.

A huge 75-14 victory against Sheffield last weekend maintained their position just a point behind National Two North leaders Sale FC and defeat for third-placed Tynedale means the Tigers are now secured a top-two finish.

Unless the table-toppers slip up at Leicester Lions on Saturday, when Roberts’ side host Sheffield Tigers at Park Lane, it will be a play-off game against National Two South’s second-placed side Chinnor.

That game is pencilled in for May 5 but Roberts remains focused on ending the league campaign on a high on home soil first.

He told the Bury Times: “Results last weekend confirmed our finish will be in the top two and, who knows, it may still be first.

“But whatever happens it has been a fantastic season.

“We have lost just once since Christmas and I can never remember that happening before.

“The players deserve huge credit for their consistency.

“When you win 23 out of 29 games, it shows how well you have done at any level.

“We now want to end on a winning note against Sheffield Tigers on Saturday and see where we end up.

“Sale have an away game at Leicester Lions so you never know.

“But we have to win and do our job.

“It looks likely we will end up second and have a play-off at Chinnor, which is between Oxford and London so that will be a long trip for us.”

The Tigers made it look easy against bottom club Sheffield last weekend, running in 11 tries on the day.

There were hat-tricks for Andy Riley and Sam Lowthion, a brace for Jamie Harrison and one each for Matt Riley, Tom Bedlow and youngster Matt Gallagher.

Steve Collins also kicked seven conversions and Matt Riley three in a match that was all but over after just 20 minutes with the score 35-7.

It was a result that may have been expected against the team propping up the table but Roberts admitted the emphatic scoreline was unexpected.

He added: “You never really expect such a big scoreline because every team in this division can give you a tough game if you are not focused.

“But it was all over inside the first quarter of the game really.

“It was good to see the tries shared around again and nice for young Matt Gallagher to get one – he is an up-and-coming prospect.

“Hopefully we can end on a similar note this weekend.”