IT may sound obvious for a coach to say he's disappointed when his team loses, but in Tim Fourie's case it is a genuine reaction, having played in the same game himself and being acutely aware of just what his players are capable of, writes Peter Collins.

"We started the season off really well and got stuck into Plymouth, but I felt we went backwards against Rotherham," said Sedgley Park's player-coach.

"It was a big day for them, they've gone through a lot the last few weeks, not knowing if they were going to have club, and with returning to their old ground they were really up for it and had 13 of side that played in the Premiership last season, so it was always going to be tough.

"It was only our second game at this level and we were up against guys who played even higher last season, but we out-scrummed them and out-played them up front.

"Everyone was worried about our small pack but we outplayed them up front and went into half-time in front. But in the second half we missed too many tackles, and if you miss your tackles at this level you get punished.

"The backs weren't their usual selves, there were too many mis-tackles, especially one-on-ones which was surprising since they'd played so well against Plymouth.

"We know what's required, it's just a matter of putting it together for 80 minutes week in, week out. Every other team has the same problem but we're working on it and we're nearly there.

"In training this week we've gone back to basics and concentrated on tackling technique and if we can get the hunger back that we had against Plymouth, where we wanted to make those hits, we'll be okay.

"We had the lead in both our opening two games at half-time and I think we are a lot further forward than we expected to be at this time of the season.

"So overall we are happy with our performances so far and we are optimistic that it is not long before we get our first points. We've only played two games so far, give us another four games and then let's see where we are."

Catching the eye of both home and away supporters so far has been the Tigers' former Super 12 stand-off, Blair Feeney.

The highly rated Kiwi claimed 17 of Park's 22 points against the Titans, striking five penalties and converting the try he made for Richard Welding.

"He's getting better every week," agreed Fourie: "he's growing in stature and confidence, which is good for both the team and himself and he's kicking extremely well, both for points and position.

"He should be starting to hit his stride over the next two or three games."