On Saturday we were at home against old rivals Rotherham Titans in our first charity game of the season for Sic kids. A big, physical team with a well drilled pack of forwards currently lying third in the league with seven wins and only two losses. We knew that this would be a huge challenge but were looking to build on last weeks first half performance against top team Rams. We started the game well playing rugby in their half and pressuring their defence with hard, direct ball carries. Despite this it was the visitors who scored first with a lovely line break from their winger who joined the line and touched down to give them a 0-7 lead within the first five minutes. However 6 minutes later the ball was moved quickly right to winger Rhys Henderson who beat two defenders and touched down in the bottom right hand corner. We were now back in the game 5-7 and had a chance to take the lead shortly after with a penalty but unfortunately could not convert it. The game ebbed to and fro between the teams and a penalty gave the visitors a line out in our twenty two which they caught and drove over for their second try and further extend their lead to 5-14 after fifteen minutes. However we were playing good rugby at this point and a drop out kick by Rotherham was collected by No. 8 Tom Ailes who made a great line break from 50 metres out which was passed to full back Andy Riley who touched down for our second try. Fly half Warren Seales converted and we were now back in the game 12-14 going into the last twenty minutes of the half. A penalty from Warren six minutes later gave us the lead 15-14 and we were now pressuring the visitors defences at every opportunity with a good kick chase and hard direct ball carrying especially from captain Matt Riley. A penalty in the 38th minute gave us a line out deep in Rotherham’s twenty two which we caught and drove over with hooker Adam Mallinson touching down for our third try. They did get a penalty right at the end of the half but we went into the break with a well deserved 20-17 lead. This was a great half of rugby for the neutral spectator between two good, evenly matched teams. We started the second half well with good interplay between forwards and backs and a lovely cross kick from fly half Warren was kicked on and collected by winger Rhys who touched down for his second and our fourth bonus point try. We were now ten points in front 27-17 with most of the half to go. However Rotherham came back strongly and scored their third try after driving play by their forwards to reduce the lead to 27-22 after 50 minutes. They backed this up four minutes later with a line break which saw them run forty metres to score their fourth try and give them the lead 27-29 going into the last twenty minutes of the game. We then gave a number of penalties away which enabled them to further extend their lead to 27-35 with ten minutes to go. We did get a penalty with the last play of the game but the game ended 30-35 to the visitors and another heart breaking loss for the Tigers. We did get two losing bonus points but this was so disappointing because we had performed so well for the majority of the game. We remain positive as we go into another huge challenge next Saturday when we are away to another top team Richmond who remain unbeaten with nine wins and one draw. We have to maintain concentration for the whole eighty minutes and not give so many penalties away.
Thanks, Steve Hazz.
