Saxons ready for Tigers big roar (From Stourbridge News)

Saxons ready for Tigers big roar

2:00pm Thursday 15th November 2012 in Stourbridge RFC

NEIL Mitchell says Stourbridge RFC will travel to Sheffield Tigers on Saturday knowing exactly what to expect.

The fixture is the second in a run of four crucial games for the National League Two North leaders against their promotion rivals.

And after surviving an onslaught from Darlington Mowden Park last weekend to make it 11 bonus point wins from as many games, Stour’s director of rugby has told his players to be ready for another battle in South Yorkshire.

He said: “Darlington really did throw the kitchen sink at us.

“Their number seven went off at half-time because he’d already been knocked out twice, such was the physicality of the game.

“We were put in an unfamiliar position of being under pressure at home but I was delighted how we coped.

“We have to expect that intensity now over the next few weeks, at Sheffield and then when we play Hull Ionians and Preston Grasshoppers.

“We’re 11 for 11, which is almost unprecedented in the National Leagues.

“These teams will see it as their chance of bringing down Stourbridge.”

A penalty try late in the first-half ensured Stour went into the break level at 18-18 all on Saturday before they pulled away in the second period.

They eventually secured the bonus point in the final minute when Drew Harper was driven over for his 14th try of the season.

Victory was not without its cost however and full-back Tom Jarvis could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering suspected cruciate ligament injury, while second row Richard Stott is also unlikely to face Sheffield.

Mitchell remains philosophical and believes other teams will be suffering just as badly.

He said: “This is the time of year when injuries really start to kick in and have an impact.

“Obviously it’s a very physical game and you can suffer injuries at any time.

“But it does tend to be around now when they start to tell.

“Tom and Richard are stars in our team but we have strength in depth and it’s a chance for others to step up.

“It’s the same for every club and I’m confident we can cope better than most.”