TIGERS MID SEASON REVIEW - RONNIE HEATH, HEAD COACH

Despite largely meeting our targets for 2007 there is a tangible feel of determination to do better within the Tigers Camp. Whilst the constant plea for patience can be heard amongst supporters, players and staff, the thirst for winning and success remains ever present.

We all knew the size of the challenge of playing in the top-flight with team of local players with full amateur status and we also knew that there would be some heavy losses adjusting. For a team that had experienced the equivalent of 3 successive promotions and a treasured winning record, the reality of regularly losing games was always going to be painful one.

Though half-way through the season we are actually only one-third of the way through our National Division one fixtures. The fear of 50 or 60 point losses has gone and our ability to compete was confirmed by our away win against London Leopards in the National Trophy. 30 point losses to Reading, Worthing and Manchester confirmed the predicted gulf between ourselves and the top three but we proved the players could cope and we were not humiliated.

More significantly the narrow 4 point loss at home to Sheffield and our first league win away to West Anglia proved that not only can we compete we can expect to win games already at this level.

The shock exit of Solent and West Herts from the League reminded us all the importance of financial prudence and long term planning. For many reasons our decision to be the team to not import professional players has been vindicated. My own company 'Createdevelopment' are close to putting a financial package together to bring a much needed 'big man' to the squad for next season. It is essential that we search for a quality individual in addition to a quality player. That individual must have a development role in the community and in addition accelerate the development of our talented young players.

The personal statistics of Paul Yabsley, Rich Anderson and Joe Andrews demonstrate how important it was for those players to play at this level. Their performances compare with the best of the foreign imported players in the league.

In truth the rest of the squad are still working hard to adjust to the raised intensity and athleticism of Division one, where the slightest mistake on either end of the court is cruelly punished. But all 15 players have individually shown that they can make a significant contribution at this level. There is no lack of ability, it really is a question of consistency and that will clearly come with time.

The emergence of young Joe Saunders as a real force has been one of the highlights for mw so far. He too, understandably has problems with consistency but he has impressed everyone with some sparkling moments on the court. His positive approach gives me real confidence that he will justify his potential. It will be fascinating over the last 12 games to see which others players come out of the shadows and demonstrate to the fans that they are ready for this level.

This weekend sees the arrival of the Leopards for the 'battle of the big cats'. The club is steeped in successful history and now have a powerful mix of hungry home grown players and a squad strengthened by the collapse of West Herts Warriors and an American Import. The Match tips-of this Saturday at Wellsprings at 5.30pm. Supporters can buy the cheapest tickets in the league on the door, at £4 for Adults and £2 Children/Concessions.