SEDGLEY Tigers could once again only claim a single losing bonus point when more should have been in the bag as they lost out to visitors Esher.

Tigers led 10-3 at half time but the visitors came on strong after the break.

Former England A fly-half Phil Jones kicked Sedgley ahead after six minutes, but this was soon cancelled out by Dave Slemen, son of former England star Mike.

Tigers battled on and earned their reward when some good work from scrum half Jamie Albinson put Andy Craig over out wide.

Jones converted and Sedgley looked to be on top.

They pressed for another try before the break, they were denied time and again when they were held up over the Esher line as the visitors defended stoutly.

Ten minutes into the second half, Tigers extended their lead with another three points from the boot of Jones.

But their inability to put their chances away in the first half came back to haunt them as Esher hit back with two tries from winger Doug Flockhart.

Full-back Neil Hallett kicked the deciding conversion which denied Sedgley.

It was a game Sedgley could have done with winning as they embark on a demanding series of fixtures against sides in the top half of National League One.

That run starts next weekend with a trip to runaway leaders and promotion favourites Northampton Saints, coached by former Sale top man Jim Mallinder.

The scheduled games involving Manchester and Macclesfield were victims of the weather.