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Troy ready for battle
Third place is the best Hemel Stags can hope for, says coach Troy Perkins.
The Aussie had previously said his side would need to win all their remaining games to go into the play-offs in second place, but watched his side lose for just the second time in nine games on Sunday.
With four games to go, three of them at home, he is targetting a whitewash of wins to claim third spot and secure a home play-off tie.
"We need to re-assess and aim for third," he said.
"If we were to slip up I think Huddersfield would be the team to go and pinch third place."
According to Perkins it was his side's inability to make the most of the sloping Rangers pitch in the first half that cost them dear.
He watched as three players were denied tries in the first half - just two touch downs giving Stags a 12-6 lead at the break.
"First half we had all the ball and all the pressure but unfortunately we got held up over the line three times," he added.
"We played some really good rugby but I knew at half time it was not going to be a big enough lead."
The first of those scores came moments after Barry John Swindells had denied Rangers top-scorer Adam Ryder a chance to add to his tally.
The Stags stalwart made the most of a spilled cross-field kick by crashing over and then sealing the extras.
Tom Anthony's try and Natahn Williams' conversion levelled things before the men in yellow pounced on another mistake, the ever impressive Jamie Acton powering through the home defence.
Rangers then made sure of closing the play-off gap, Ryder, Williams (penalty), Richard Aka, Lee St Hilaire and Ryder again making mincemeat of the Stags line.
However it was not all doom and gloom for the visitors as James Howitt powered over late on to earn his side a bonus point.
Although admitting his players simply did notget enough points on the board when it mattered, Perkins reserved special praise for two up-and-coming players.
"James Howitt got the bonus point which could be massive for us," he said. "He put in a massive effort.
"Our young centre Jamie Acton is also going extremely well. He's only 19 and has a really good future ahead of him.
"He has been one of our best players in the last three or four weeks and was outstanding again for us."
Perkins will be hoping Acton and the rest of his side are on-form for the visit of fourth-placed Kippax Knights on Sunday.
Kick off is 2.30pm.
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Weather for Hemel Hempstead
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
