On Saturday we were on the road again with another huge challenge against Second placed Rotherham Titans. They had only lost four games all season and are a well drilled side with a massive pack of forwards who play on a small narrow pitch. They had beaten us narrowly 30-35 at our ground back in November and we were confident that we could cause an upset after recent good performances against the top five sides. However we knew that we would have to start strongly and get points on the board in the first half and build a score. We kicked off playing into the wind but gave away a number of penalties which denied us possession and territory. It was from one of the penalties that they got a line out ten metres out which they drove, building phases and their right winger went over to give them a 0-7 lead after just two minutes. We had a chance to get on the scoreboard with a penalty shortly afterwards but were unable to convert. However after strong driving play varying play left and right and a patient build up on their five metre line, the ball was moved to right winger Rhys Henderson who went over in the corner and put us back in the game 5-7 after eighteen minutes. We were testing home side at every opportunity but against the run of play their centre intercepted a pass and ran in from fifty metres and touched down under the posts to extend their lead to 5-14 after 22 minutes. Two minutes later after a kick battle, we should have had a goal line drop out but a mistake saw them touch down for their third converted try and a 5-21 lead going into the last fifteen minutes of the half. Unfortunately we lost fly half Warren Seales at this point so full back Oli Glasse went to ten and captain Matt Riley took his place in the centre A scrum penalty on our five metre line eight minutes later saw them take a quick tap and drive over to give them their fourth and bonus point try and go into half time 5-26 up. This was an extremely disappointing half of rugby for the Tigers because Rotherham had not really created anything but capatilized off our mistakes where we gifted them two tries. We needed a big reaction in the second half and it came in the 48th minute with a lovely individual try from centre Nathan Pope who came off the right wing beating three defenders and touching down under the posts. We then got a penalty shortly afterwards which Oli converted and we were now back in the game 15-26. We were playing with tempo and momentum but it was the home side who went further ahead with their fifth try after a good line break and forward drive to extend the lead to 15-31 going into the last twenty minutes. However we hit back again after a pick and go by prop Danny Rylance was off loaded to scrum half Matt Sturgess who ran in from 35 metres to give us our third try converted by Oli and reduce the lead to 22-31. However Rotherham went further ahead after a penalty gave them possession and territory ten metres out which they drove over for another try and a 22-38 lead with nine minutes to go. A penalty gave us a line out on their five metre line which we drove over for hooker Adam Mallinson to score. Oli converted and we were now 29-38 behind going into the last few minutes but Rotherham won the game. We got a losing bonus point after a great second half performance but disappointed that it could have been a lot more. Yet again the whole squad gave their all and No 8. Tom Ailes was given star man but we know that we cannot play catch up rugby and expect to win. Next Saturday we are home to league leaders Richmond and another huge challenge. It is also a charity day supporting Andys Man Club so please come down and support the Tigers.
Many thanks, Steve Hazz.
