Match Report: Rotherham Titans v Narbonne

By Roth Admin
December 6 2003

Rotherham Titans went down 10 – 17 at home this evening to Narbonne in the 1st leg of the Parker Pen Challenge Cup. A partially second string Rotherham team stuttered through a poor first half performance, before rallying back to win the second half.

The first half began with errors by both sides before Phil Jones on five minutes had the first opportunity to register some points on the board. Narbonne infringed at the maul and Jones attempted penalty from all of 55 metres was found wanting. Just 3 minutes later though and the big French side got a penalty of their own after Rotherham pulled down a Narbonne drive. Narbonne’s full back Cedric Rosalen slotted over from 30 metres.

On 14 minutes it was de-ja-vu as Rotherham pulled down the powerful Narbonne pack. Once again Cedric Rosalen stepped up to convert a difficult penalty from the far right touch line.

A minute later and Rotherham had a good opportunity to reduce the deficit to 3 points after the visitors had infringed at the scrum. From about 28 metres out and just left of centre, John Benson let the opportunity pass by pulling his kick pass the left hand upright.

By now though the meaty French pack were starting to control the game and set a platform for their speedy backs. On 24 minutes Narbonne scored the 1st try of the evening when a break down Rotherham’s left and a kick and chase from Pascal Bazini enabled the right wing to touch down in the corner. Rosalen missed the conversion.

Ten minutes later and it was Narbonne who pulled down a driving maul by Rotherham, who in patches were starting to get more involved in the contest. From about 16 metres out and 10 metres to the right of the uprights, up stepped John Benson to slot the ball straight through the centre to reduce the arrears to 8 points. Four minutes before the break and Benson had a 50 metre penalty drop just short of the posts. Maybe a kick for touch would have been the better option.

Half Time: Rotherham Titans 3 – Narbonne 11

Rotherham would have hoped to have started the 2nd period by getting the first points on the board. However just 2 minutes in they conceded a penalty and the trusty boot of Rosalen made no mistake.

Just 8 minutes had gone in the second half and Rotherham were beginning to dominate the possession and territory. They started to move the ball around quickly and the big French pack looked pedestrian at times. From a Rotherham line out just 8 metres from the French line, quick ball from Harrison on to Jones, who made a long infield miss-pass to Ewens who tapped on for the onrushing John Benson to go over near the posts for a well deserved try. Benson converted his own try to narrow the gap to just 4 points.

Confidence had been boosted and Rotherham were playing some adventurous stuff. The Rotherham faithful who had turned up on a cold and damp evening were beginning to warm to the occasion and the “Rotherham Roar” could be heard as their boys were playing some of the best rugby seen at Millmoor this season.

On 59 minutes Narbonne’s blind side flanker Peter Short was yellow-carded for persistent infringing. Was this going to be Rotherham’s opportunity? As it turned out it was Narbonne who were to score next. On 65 minutes Rotherham were caught offside just outside their own 22 and Rosalen kicked successfully to bring his personal tally for the evening to 12 points.

Rotherham pretty much dominated the last 15 minutes but were unable to break down a well organised Narbonne defence. There were some outstanding passages of fluent passing and a commitment from the Rotherham players that must give encouragement both to the coaching staff and to the supporters, who are still waiting to see their first victory of the season.

Full Time: Rotherham Titans 10 – Narbonne 17


It’s ironic that the first time this season Rotherham loose by 7 points or less and therefore collect a bonus point – it should happen in a cup game.

There are positives to be had though. Although Rotherham were nowhere near full strength, they pushed one of the better sides of French rugby very close. Their defending was much improved and they had a threat about them in attack. In addition the club has brought in seven new recruits who will be available for selection for the next Zurich Premiership game at home to London Irish.


To follow this match report are the post match comments of Rotherham’s Director of Rugby – Steph Nel.