SEDGLEY Tigers made it six wins out of eight on Saturday after a rearguard action saw them hold on for a 19-14 victory over Stourbridge.

It was another backs-to-the-wall finale for the Tigers but assistant coach Rob Smith believes that “a fabulous team spirit” is the key to their recent success.

“The last 20 minutes we were under the cosh and that was when the spirit came in,” said Smith who stepped up to the coaching role in October.

“We spilled the ball too much but overall I am pleased with the performance.

“That makes it six wins out of eight and we have got points from the last eight games so we shouldn’t have a problem in staying in this division.

“The team sprit is fabulous.

“We had to keep rolling and training hard when the games were called off in December but we have come back strong. They are a great bunch of lads.”

Sedgley had a terrific start when prop Danny Birchall crashed his way over the line in the seventh minute and Steve Nutt added the conversion.

A heavy penalty count against the Tigers proved costly as the sure-footed Matt Williams put Stourbridge in the lead with three penalties.

Sedgley hit back before the break when Richard Wainwright intercepted and raced way to score and Nutt added the conversion.

Seven minutes into the second half and the Tigers looked to have the game sewn up when quick hands opened up an overlap for Mike Dutton to race over.

Their inability to keep possession and their tendency to kick too often in the atrocious conditions resulted in Stourbridge being camped on their line for the final 20 minutes of the game.

Stout defending saw the Tigers hang on, however, despite conceding a 67th minute try when hooker Liam Wordley barged his way over.

Sedgley now face a tough task on Saturday when they travel to high-flying Blackheath.

Smith and head coach Rich Senior go into the game with no fresh injury worries.