Tim gets tough

TIME for a reality check - as the halfway stage of the season approaches, Sedgley Park are bottom of the National One pile, with relegation staring them in the face.

Unless something is done, and done now, the Park Lane club could be about to do an 'Orrell,' that is reserve their place in National Two early, to avoid being disappointed.

However, several people at the club, in particular player-coach Tim Fourie, is determined to refocus the players' attention in order to ensure First Division survival.

But in order to do that there may have to be a 'cull,' after Fourie announced he is being 'Mr Nice Guy' no longer.

"We were without a game last Saturday so an extra training session was organised, but four guys did not turn up," he seethed.

"That is not good enough and I will be setting things right.

"From now on every player, without exception, will be aware of what is expected of them, and what we have to do to achieve our goal of staying in this division.

"There will be a 'three strike rule' and any guy who falls short three times will be gotten rid off.

"It's not a characteristic of this club for teams to fall apart, we are renowned for playing for each other but right now four or five guys are letting the rest of the team down and it ends, now.

"They think they can do their own thing and go their own way, well they can't.

"I'd rather bring some youngsters in who want to play and go down fighting, rather than put up with some of the guys we have at the moment.

"As a result of their actions people are accusing me of being passionless and lacking leadership, well it is not true and I resent it bitterly."

The flip side of this disappointing coin bears the names of players who Fourie believes constantly set the standard of commitment and passion, game in, game ouit - Gerallt Evans, Phil Jones, Huw Thomas and Jimmy Ponton.

In addition to this simmering disunity there has been a lack of composure which has seen the side fritter away points needlessly.

"We had the best start we could have had beating Coventry away in our opening game, but I think it went to one or two heads," he added.

"As a result things have gone pear-shaped, especially after losing Phil Jones through injury.

"Finding ourselves without a ready-made replacement has been a tough lesson to learn.

"Also, whereas some teams took us for granted last season, this season they are treating us with a bit of respect, that means they gear up instead of gear down for us, which makes things twice as hard and exacerbates our lack of composure. This has meant our execution has been found wanting."

What better way to bring this poor run to an end than a thumping good roses win over Doncaster, with the Tigers due over at Castle Park in south Yorshire next Tuesday.

"Yes, it would be a good place to start," Fourie agreed.

"We have a very healthy rivalry with them and we always look forward to playing them.

"They play the areas and have a good set-phase, especially in the lineouts.

"They will obviously look to have a go at us on our set-phase.

"They put a lot of extra effort into their trai ing, they are well supported and they will present a formidable obstacle

"Their tails will be up, having won two out of the last three, but we will be going there looking for a good win."

And the Tigers could do with it, or they may as well begin reappraising themsleves with the routes to National Two outposts, such as Redruth, and Launceston, and of course much closer to home, Wharfedale and Manchester.

* DONCASTER, who have what is reckoned to be one of the best, and newest, clubhouses in the league at Castle Park, are an ambitious outfit.

That ambition can be measured by the quality of opposition they faced in their in pre-season friendlies, going down 53-17 at Gloucester and then 59-0 at Sale Sharks.

Three consecutive defeats - 20-40 at home to Cornish Pirates, 47-17 at Bedford Blues and 17-23 at home to Exeter Chiefs - didn't exactly give them the September start they were hoping for. However, the 31-29 defeat of Coventry saw them gain their first five-pointer.

Unfortunately it was followed by a losing start to October, with a 27-7 reverse at the Stoop to Quins.

They then enjoyed a close 14-9 home win over Plymouth before losing the first of their Yorkshire derbies with the 24-16 reverse at Otley. A 27-27 draw rounded off the month at Old Deer Park against London Welsh.

Things didn't get any better as November dawned. They went out of the Powergen National Trophy, 18-11 to National Three side Redruth.

They briefly regrouped to chalk up league win number three when they beat Newbury 26-16 at home, but they went down 25-19 at Earth Titans (Rotherham) in the first of this season's south yorkshire derbies before losing the fitst South Yorkshire derbies.

So far in December they are one-and-one, having been nilled at Nottingham (12-0) before pipping Pertemps Bees 31-27 back at Castle Park.

In their promotion season, 2003-2004, the Tigers recorded a double over their roses rivals, winning 31-21 away and 27-17 at Park Lane

Donny's current leading try scorer is Donavan Van Vuuren, who has seven league touchdowns, while leading the points haul is stand-off Jon Benson with 91.

However, Benson has had to undergo a minor operation on a knee, while first choice No10 Rob Liley has damaged ankle ligaments; both are therefore doubtful for next Wednesday's game.

As cover Donny have brought in Sale Sharks' youngster, Ben Blair, although Canadian international centre John Cannon is back in Canada awaiting a work permit.