'Taking us some time' - Sheffield RUFC coach admission ahead of crunch period

National One has been an exciting but challenging journey so far for a club whose clinching of the National Two North title back in April secured a first ever stab at the third tier of English rugby.

A glance at the table would suggest they are not making too good a fist of it, with just two wins from eight and the fewest points scored of all 14 teams.

But there is mitigation, with five of those eight games coming on the road and over 1,700 miles travelled.

And director of rugby Posa believes his team are making incremental progress ahead of a run up to Christmas that sees them play all of the five teams directly above them, starting with Dings Crusaders at home on Saturday.

“You look at the table, our next six games are massive for us,” said Posa, whose team round out the first half of the year at Yorkshire rivals Leeds Tykes. “The proof will be in the pudding after that.

“We’ve had one hell of an introduction. All the trips have been big trips away. But our home record is pretty good, two wins out of three and the one we lost was against the team in third who pinched it off us on the final play.

“That gives us confidence. Dings are new to us, but we’re new to them and they haven’t been to Sheffield before so we’ve got to make sure we’re ready. Because 100 per cent, we are improving every week.”

The second half against Sale FC on Saturday may be the exception.

Posa felt his side were firmly in the game, trailing by seven points at the break, before a team of third-tier experience and quality stepped on the accelerator in the second half to win 49-19.

“Little errors that we’re making are getting punished more than they were at the level below last season. That compounds things,” he said.

“I cannot fault the boys’ effort, it’s just the execution and the adaptation to the higher level.

“It’s taking us some time but I think the improvement signs are there for all to see and that’s encouraging.”