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Tigers rocked by three departures

12/ 6/2008

SEDGLEY Park Tigers are reeling from the departures of skipper Jimmy Ponton and the Albinson brothers Jamie and Tom.

Ponton, who has captained Sedgley ever since he joined the club four years ago, has left due to the time and expense of travelling from his Newcastle home.

And the Albinson brothers have decided to seek pastures new with scrum half Jamie moving to Doncaster and winger Tom joining Waterloo.

But the Tigers already have a ready-made replacement for Tom Albinson with flying winger Peter Swatkins having joined the club from Gloucester.

Team manager Geoff Roberts said: "We have been on the lookout for a seriously pacy winger and Peter came into the frame. He played alongside Glen Townson and Matt Riley for England Under-18s and they both said how quick and talented he is.

"We’ve managed to broker a deal with Sale so he will be training full-time with the Sharks also.

"As for Jamie and Tom, they both have their reasons for moving on.

"Jamie wants to play full-time and we could not give him that. Once it was known that he was looking to move Doncaster quickly agreed terms with him.

"Tom only had limited opportunities here. He wants first team football so he has dropped a level to get that at Waterloo.

"Ponton will be sorely missed, having captained the side for the whole of his four-year stint with us and I’d like to thank him for everything he has done."

Sedgley are now concentrating on attracting players who live close to Park Lane following Ponton’s departure.

Roberts said: "We’re having to work with a smaller budget so, realistically, we’d prefer players to live no more than 60 to 90 minutes away from the club."