Brave Titans fail at the end!

Rob Andrew
By Roth Admin
August 19 2004

Rotherham Titans put on a sterling performance in their defeat at home to Newcastle Falcons – going down by 20 points to 26. And although the Titans collected a well deserved bonus point, they were unable to collect their first league victory of what has been a difficult season.

Rotherham made a bright start, but it was the visitors who opened their account first on eight minutes. Referee Rob Debney – making his Premiership debut – awarded Newcastle a penalty after adjudging the Rotherham defence offside. From 40 metres out and in front of the posts Dave Walder made no mistake with the conversion to give the Falcons an early advantage.

However on 13 minutes Rotherham stole a Falcons line out and an interchange of passes between Geraint Lewis and Bernardo Stortoni led to veteran Mike Umaga crashing through to put the Titans ahead. Phil Jones was successful with the conversion to give the home side a 7-3 advantage.

Back came Newcastle and in the 24th minute flying full back Michael Stephenson ended a cross field move to go over in the corner and run round to touch down under the posts. Many in the ground thought the final pass to Stephenson looked forward, but Debney was in no mood to do Rotherham any favours. Walder slotted the easy conversion to put the Falcons 10-7 ahead.

Newcastle were beginning to get on top now and a series of pick and drive’s in first half injury time saw Newcastle’s blind side flanker, Dunbar, crash over for near the posts for an important score. Once again Walder made the conversion.

There was still time however for Rotherham to make a reply. Deep into injury time Newcastle were penalised for coming in from the side at a maul. Phil Jones stepped up and converted the difficult penalty to draw the half to a close, with the hosts trailing 10-17.

Dave Walder’s early second half penalty conversion increased the visitors lead to ten points. But Rotherham were not about to lie down. A brilliant side step from Phil Jones opened up the Newcastle defence and the fly half sprinted through for the try of the match. Jones dusted himself down to convert his own try and reduce the arrears to just 3 points.

On 54 minutes Dave Walder gave an exhibition in kicking. After Newcastle were awarded a penalty on the halfway line, Walder stepped up and kicked the ball like a 4 pound haggis right through the centre of the uprights.

On 58 minutes Des Tuiavii received a yellow card for infringing at a ruck, but remarkably with Rotherham down to 14 men for ten minutes it was they that scored in that period. Newcastle were under pressure and were penalised for being caught blatantly off side. Once again Jones made the conversion to bring the score to 20-23.

On 78 minutes Rotherham were penalised for not releasing in the tackle and Walder put the Falcons 6 points ahead again. The final 10 minutes was predominantly Rotherham’s and on several occasions it looked as though their first Premiership victory was about to take place. But fair play to Newcastle, some tremendous defending just managed to keep Rotherham at bay.

Rotherham fully deserved their bonus point and no one could have had any complaints had the Titans secured the victory.

Referee: Rob Debney

Attendance: 5,203