Match Report: Rotherham Titans v Leicester Tigers

By Roth Admin
November 23 2003

Rotherham produced their best rugby of the season in going down at home to Leicester Tigers 17 points to 27. Their outstanding performance deserved to be rewarded with at least a bonus point and victory for the Titans would not have been undeserved.

The first few minutes of the game was very frenetic with both sides kicking aplenty to try and gain field position. After just five minutes Rotherham had the chance to go ahead, Leicester infringed at a maul and conceded a penalty. Phil Jones attempt from 45 metres just slid across the face of the uprights.

Rotherham had started the brighter and Jones and Umaga were looking threatening in attack. A clever chip over the top by Jones on 12 minutes was kicked on by the veteran Umaga and a try looked on until the ball unfortunately just went in to touch.

On 19 minutes ex-Rotherham favourite Ramiro Pez failed to convert a penalty for the visitors after Rotherham had infringed at the scrum. Just 3 minutes later and a speculative drop goal attempt from Pez missed badly. It was testament to Rotherham’s excellent defence that the Tigers had resorted to such a decision.

By now Rotherham were beginning to exert strong pressure and a superb kick over the top turned Leicester right wing Austin Healey. He gathered the ball just 5 metres from his goal and before he had chance to react Joe Ewens wrapped him up and drove him back over the goal line. For the first time this season we heard the “Rotherham Roar,” as the faithful were beginning to react to an outstanding Rotherham start.

Their expectations were rewarded from the resulting scrum. Rauluni fed Jones from the base of the scrum and he made a perfect pass to Umaga who came from deep and at pace to breakthrough the Leicester defence and go over for the 1st try of the afternoon. Jones however missed the conversion.

Rotherham dominated the first 30 minutes before Leicester started to apply pressure of their own. On 32 minutes Rotherham lost their own line out, (the only one of the day-if memory serves) and the ensuing 20 metres rolling maul finished with Rotherham holding Leicester up in the Rotherham “in goal” area. On 36 minutes Rotherham were penalised for holding on in the tackle and Pez converted from 43 metres to reduce the deficit to two points. Four minutes in to fist half injury time and this time Pez missed his penalty attempt with a very poor effort.

Just as it appeared that Rotherham would go in to the interval ahead, there was going to be a final twist. Rotherham delayed the put in on their own line out and the referee awarded a free kick to Leicester. Again another long driving maul from Leicester was finally stopped on the Rotherham 5 metre line. Rotherham committed numbers to the maul and when the ball came out to Pez he spotted a gap in the Rotherham defensive line and glided through unchallenged to score Leicester’s first try. Pez converted his own try.

Half time: Titans 5 – Tigers 10

Just 5 minutes in to the 2nd half and a good break infield by Pez opened up the Rotherham defence. Pez gave good ball to Dan Lyle who scored his first try for the Tigers. There was some doubt whether Lyle had actually made a double movement, but referee Goddliffe said he had not been held in the tackle and therefore the try stood. Pez converted.

Rotherham were expected to fold at this time as has happened in previous games. However Rotherham were not in the mood to follow the script. On 54 minutes a kick in to the corner sparked a foot race between Vesty and Elliott. The Rotherham flyer slipped effortlessly in to overdrive to make 3 yards on Vesty and timed his dive perfectly as the ball entered the goal area. John Benson took over the kicking duties, but the difficult conversion from the touch line just fell short.

Leicester however hit back within 4 minutes. Once again Pez was involved, his elegant chip through broke nicely for the charging Healey who collected the ball to go over near the posts. Pez made the easy conversion.

On 67 minutes back came Rotherham once again, showing their new found determination and confidence. This time another chip through, turned the Leicester defence and Rotherham’s flying winger Anthony Elliott was illegally held to prevent him scoring. It did not matter though as the Referee quite rightly awarded a penalty try. John Benson made the conversion to reduce the deficit to seven points.

Now it was Leicester’s time to come back and they did. After another one of their driving mauls Rotherham were to infringe in the loose. From 35 metres out and in front of the goal Pez scored to bring his personal tally to 17 points and the match score to 27 – 17 to the Tigers.

A fluent series of passing between Jones, Lewis and back to Jones was laid off to the replacement Bunting and it looked for the entire world as if he would go over underneath the posts. Brilliant Leicester defending held him and the subsequent Rotherham pressure from going over.

And then deep in to injury time after another series of Rotherham pressure and fluent handling, an opportunity arose for Benson to go over in the corner. Once again Leicester managed to scramble back and edge him in to touch. That was the last opportunity and referee Goddliffe blew for time on a very entertaining encounter.

Perhaps the main difference between the two teams was the ability to take the points on offer when they were available. Although Rotherham will be disappointed at losing this game, there was lots of positives on which to build. There’s no doubt that Rotherham are improving with every game and they will get better. The new coaching team will no doubt set about finding that first elusive win, when the boys return to training next week.

Leicester however will be grateful to see the return of their World Cup stars next week and will need them if they are to climb up the Premiership table. On today’s evidence Ramiro Pez seems to be settling in nicely. He controlled the Leicester back line well, particularly in the 2nd half. Tuilagi on the left wing was always a handful and looked impressive. And there were glimpses of Austin Healey and what he’s capable of.

But Dean Richards and his team will travel back home and know they were involved in a very hard contest and credit must go to Rotherham for that.