Exeter Preview


By Roth Admin
January 4 2006

Rotherham embark on the long journey south Friday morning as they attempt to reach the last 4 of the National Trophy. Their opponents Exeter have traditionally proved tough hosts in the past and Saturday’s encounter is expected to be no different.

 

MATCH PREVIEW

 
                       

 

                   

 

 

Exeter

V

Titans

Powergen National Trophy

1/4 Final

7th January 2006

County Ground

Kick Off 3.00pm

 
TEAM NEWS

Andre Bester makes 6 changes to the starting fifteen that beat Otley last time out, as Rotherham attempt to reach the semi final of the Powergen National Trophy.

At scrum half, Morne Jonker gets a rare start as Joe Bedford gets a well deserved rest on the bench. John Holtby returns for Gareth Brear on the wing and Anthony Carter comes in at centre for WP Strauss who moves to ten as Mike Whitehead – not 100% fit – also has a bench role.

Nigel Conroy and Adam Hopcroft will start in the front row, whilst Gareth McComb comes in at lock for Louis McGowan. The back row remains unaltered, so Neil Cochrane will sit on the bench for the second successive game.

 

Earth Titans: 15 Errie Claassens, 14 John Holtby, 13 Anthony Carter, 12 Lee Blackett (Capt), 11 David Strettle, 10 WP Strauss, 9 Morne Jonker, 1 Jon Golding, 2 Nigel Conroy, 3 Adam Hopcroft, 4 Jannie Bornman, 5 Gareth McComb, 6 Scott Donald 7 Hendre Fourie, 8 Chris Hala’Ufia

Replacements

16 Joe Bedford, 17 Mike Whitehead, 18 Ledowyk Strauss, 19 Jarleth Carey, 20 John Rawson, 21 Louis McGowan 22 Neil Cochrane.

 

Exeter Squad TBA

 

 
FORM GUIDE

Rotherham have lost only once in their last seven games in all competitions, that being the disappointing performance away at London Welsh. Since then they have quashed Sedgley Park at home and secured an excellent away win at Otley, despite not being at their best.

Exeter are having a poor season by their own high standards, having already lost eight games in the league. The Chiefs have only won one of their last five, that being at Coventry in the 6th round of the National Trophy.

Despite the Chiefs poor form, they are always a difficult side to beat on their mud-bath of a pitch. If Rotherham are to progress into the semi finals of this competition they will need their forwards to gain at least parity up front.

Having beaten Exeter in the league earlier this season, Rotherham know they have the tools to do so again and I expect them to do so, in a tight, low scoring encounter.

 

Roth Admin Prediction: Roth by 3
How both sides have fared in the last 5 games

 
Roth 25-19 Doncaster  Exeter 8-12 Otley
Moseley 13-29 Roth (Cup) Coventry 19-24 Exeter (Cup)
Welsh 13-7 Roth Bedford 28-13 Exeter
Roth 32-11 Sedgeley Park Newbury 37-35 Exeter
Otley 17-22 Roth Exeter 0-7 Plymouth
 
 

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

 
 
Date Venue Res Roth Exeter
Exeter Rotherham 07-Mar-98 A W 33 8
Rotherham Exeter 25-Apr-98 H W 50 27
Rotherham Exeter 12-Sep-98 H W 28 15
Exeter Rotherham 17-Apr-99 A W 35 24
Rotherham Exeter 20-Nov-99 H W 36 15
Exeter Rotherham 22-Jan-00 A W 34 0
Rotherham Exeter 10-Nov-01 H L 13 19
Exeter Rotherham 16-Mar-02 A W 32 23
Rotherham Exeter 08-Sep-02 H W 35 30
Exeter Rotherham 22-Mar-03 A L 19 30
Exeter Rotherham 11-Dec-04 A L 17 41
Rotherham Exeter 30-Apr-05 H L 33 41
Rotherham Exeter 01-Oct-05 H W 17 10
 

 

The weekends other Cup fixtures
 
 Sat, 7 Jan 06  
  NEC Harlequins     Vs    Plymouth Albion
  Nottingham  Vs    London Welsh
  Otley Vs    Bedford

 
TICKET & GROUND INFORMATION
 

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