Weekly Delve into the Archives

RIPOL IN FLIGHT
By Stefan
November 10 2005

THE weekly dip into the records books for games played in previous years on the coming week-end sees Rotherham on the road at Rugby and Moseley and entertaining Bristol, Reading and Birkenhead Park at Clifton Lane.

One year ago
Bristol visited Rotherham en-route to their National One Championship. A disappointing show from the home side saw them yield up a nine-point lead in the closing stages of the game to lose 16-15. It was a top of the table clash in which the Titans led 9-3 at the interval and 15-6 with ten minutes to go. Five penalties from flyhalf Ramiro Pez gave them more than a chance of toppling the division leaders. However, Bristol - mediocre and flat - were handed a game the Titans should have won; a feat to be repeated on a number of other occasions throughout last season.

Three years ago
Rotherham made the journey to Rugby Lions for a rare National One Friday evening game. Somebody had the bright idea to hold back the supporters' coach to give everybody a chance to get to the club after work. They managed to deliver the travelling band of fans in time to see the second half! They witnessed a below par performance from a Rotherham side who ironically managed to record a flattering 31-0 win - one of two 'nillings' they inflicted that year - with a hat-trick of tries from Michael Wood, one from Chris Johnson and the rest of the points coming from Jon Benson's boot.

Four years ago
Moseley were subjected to their annual drubbing at the hands of Rotherham at the University of Birmingham Ground in a season that saw Rotherham rack up a staggering 1,099 points. They also piled up 120 points out of a possible 130 - a National One record - in what was a vintage year; arguably their best season ever. Although it took time for them to get going, Rotherham eventually ran out 47-3 winners with seven tries scored; a brace from Peter Massey and Howard Parr each, tries from Jason Keyter, Mike Schmid and newly signed Oriel Ripol in his first game in Roth colours. The Barcelona lad, now at Sale Sharks, showed a tantalising glimpse of what he was to later achieve for Rotherham. Ramiro Pez landed five conversions with one coming from Dave Scully.

Ten years ago
Rotherham were playing in the then National Three, now called National Two, in what turned out to be a promotion year. Reading were the visitors to Clifton Lane and they almost managed to inflict a surprise defeat on the home side. However, Rotherham squeezed out a 25-22 win with tries coming from Bayston, Breakwell, Scott and - legendary prop forward - Sam Coy also got in on the act with a try of his own. Kevin Plant landed a penalty but missed all his conversion attempts.

Fifteen years ago
Birkenhead Park were the unlucky visitors to Clifton Lane, they encountered a home side in rampant form who recorded their biggest win of the season. 39-6 was the result, number eight Richard Selkirk returned a hat-trick of tries with tries added by Paul Scott, Grant Treece and John Dudley. Flyhalf Kevin Plant kicked three penalties and on this occasion he managed three conversions.