HALF-way point in the season and Sedgley Park player-coach Tim Fourie is quietly confident despite narrowly losing 24-19 at National League Division One leaders Plymouth Albion on Monday.

He said, before the match: "Half-way through and I think we have exceeded our expectations, we didn't really know what to expect and so five wins is a bonus, the surprises probably being the victories over Pertemps Bees and Penzance/Newlyn, so we have taken plenty of positives so far.

"There are also a few negatives we need to address, such as not picking up bonus points at cruicial times, but overall we are quite happy with where we are at the moment.

"If we can consolidate and improve our game a wee bit we should be safe.

"January is a huge month for us.

"After Plymouth it is Rotherham at home, Bristol away, Otley away and then Henley at home.

"I really believe we are capable of winning all those games, although Bristol away will be the biggest test by far.

"They are flying high and playing some cracking 15-man rugby, they have the right mix.

"All the others are definitely winnable and we have to look to get at least 12 points in January."

At the start of the season it was widely believed that any two from five teams could get relegated, but now other teams are being dragged into the mix.

"The difference between us (fourth from bottom) and Nottingham (one place higher) is now just three points and they have to come to us," added Fourie.

"Hopefully as we start to climb the table the likes of Pertemps Bees, Coventry and even Otley could all get dragged into the relegation battle. Hopefully we wont be one of them!"

February (Penzance & Newlyn away, Bedford home) and March (London Welsh home, Orrell away) will give Sedgley time to recharge their batteries before April.

The final four games of the season see the Tigers visit Exeter and entertain Nottingham and Coventry before the curtain is brought down on this inaugural National One campaign with a trip to Pertemps Bees.