RUGBY UNION: Humiliating defeat for toothless Tigers
9:30am Thursday 15th December 2011 in Other
THE loss of four influential players had a devastating effect on Sedgley Tigers, who crashed to a humiliating 61-17 defeat at Tynedale on Saturday.
Injuries had already ruled out Garth Dew and Richard Wainwright but late withdrawals of former England Counties inside centre Matt Riley and Fraley Hopa proved decisive.
It was a bitter disappointment for Sedgley who had bounced back from a poor start to the season to notch up five wins in their previous six games and establish a respectable mid-table position. Assistant coach Dave Peet admitted that the loss of players had a big bearing on the result, but could not hide his disappointment at the way the team as a whole didn’t perform, particularly in the second half.
“We were devastated as we lost players in key areas,” he said.
“It was disappointing because we have concentrated on nothing but our defence over the past five weeks and we only conceded 18 points in our previous two games.
The depleted Tigers took to the field with only 19 players instead of the regulation 20.
Tynedale dominated from the outset and crossed for their first touchdown after just four minutes with a try for impressive hooker Stephen Ridley, and Gavin Beasley kicked the conversion.
Tigers fought back and Durham lad Richard Oxley replied with a touchdown two minutes later and Tom Leader converted and then added a penalty. The second half was a completely one-sided affair as Tynedale turned on the style, running in a string of conversions.
Fergus Owen broke the sequence with a try which Leader converted but the home side soon responded by piling up more points.
The Tigers will be hoping for better fortunes when they entertain local rivals Macclesfield on Saturday, but face a stern test against an in-form Cheshire side.
Only Riley, who was suffering from a viral infection, is expected to return.
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