Sedgley Tigers coach Steve Hazzelby says a blank weekend will give the squad a welcome breather after tough recent tests against National One’s top three sides.

The Tigers went down 21-6 at joint leaders Richmond last Saturday and yet again performed well without any return.

But Hazzelby believes an elusive victory will come if the team keep playing with drive and commitment.

He said: “We were desperate to get back to winning ways after the frustration of the previous weeks where we had performed well but were unable to finish games off and come away with the points.

“In fairness to Richmond, they probably deserved the victory but it was so disappointing to come away with nothing after the huge effort all the players put in.

“We have now played the top three teams in the last three weeks and have pushed them all the way, but we have to be able to finish games off.

“The effort and commitment of this group of players cannot be questioned and we know we are not far away from that winning performance.

“We have a much-needed break on Saturday, which gives everyone a chance to recharge the batteries and prepare for the next challenge.

“We have three more games before the Christmas break - two at home and one away - which will have a big impact on the rest of the season. We are confident we can get back to winning ways.”

Last weekend, atrocious conditions in London did not help either side.

Richmond elected to play against the elements in the first half and initial exchanges saw both teams kicking for territory, relying on a good kick chase to gain possession in each other’s half.

Sedgley’s initial set-piece was good with a solid scrum and an accurate lineout, despite the difficult conditions.

“Both sets of players carried the ball hard but both defences were solid with neither team getting a foothold in each other’s 22.

The visitors’ discipline was very good in the first half, only giving three penalties away, and it was the Tigers who got on the scoreboard first with a penalty right on half time to go in 3-0 up.

The second half started much the same as the first, and it was the hosts who had the chance to go into the lead, but could not convert their penalties.

Tigers then got a second penalty on 50 minutes which was converted by fly-half Warren Seals to give them a 6-0 lead with most of the half to go.

However, Richmond hit back with a try three minutes later after a good line-break which put them in the lead.

The visitors were still very much in the game at this point, staying in the kick battle and pressuring the home defence at every opportunity.

However, a yellow card six minutes later put the Tigers down to 14 players and the ensuing penalty put them back in their 22, from which the hosts drove the lineout over, giving them a second converted try.

Sedgley were now down 14-6 going into the last 20 minutes, but were still confident they could get back in the game.

They continued to look to play rugby in the home side’s half, but in the end they could not break down the home team’s defence.

The hosts did get a third score after a good half-break and offload and the game ended in another disappointing loss for the Tigers.