Weekly Delve into the Archives

ROTH V SAINTS
By Stefan
February 1 2006

THE weekly delve into the record books for games played this weekend in the previous eighteen league seasons sees a single home encounter, against London Welsh, with Rotherham on the road to Northampton, Otley, Bristol, Waterloo and Bradford & Bingley.

Two years ago
A crowd of almost 11,000 at Franklin's Gardens turned up confidently expecting the Premiership's bottom side to be thrashed by Northampton Saints. They were wrong, Rotherham Titans produced one of their best displays of their disastrous premiership season. Rugby League's Andy Farrell watched Roth's pack gain parity in the set-piece and Roth's backs - led by Ireland's Guy Easterby - outshine their more illustrious opponents. It took the likes of Bruce Reihana (pictured above), Matt Dawson, Ben Cohen, Steve Thompson and Paul Grayson to quell Roth's efforts. The Titans eventually lost 18-8, however, they gained their second bonus point of the season. Oriel Ripol and Ben Cohen scored tries for the Saints with Roth's reply coming from Guy Easterby added to by a penalty from Jon Benson.

Three years ago
The Titans entertained London Welsh in National One at Millmoor. 18-12 was the score, Welsh's flanker Lee Starling - later signed by Rotherham - played a blinder and almost caused a major upset. The homeside's points were all scored by internationals, tries from Samoan Mike Umaga and Canadian John Cannon with the Italian flyhalf Ramiro Pez adding two penalties and a conversion. 

Four years ago
Local rivals Otley provided the opposition at Cross Green. They made their visitors work hard to get their 14th victory in an outstanding run of 38 straight league wins. Tries were scored by centre Mike Umaga and hooker Chris Johnson. USA flyhalf Link Wilfley, who had a disappointing first half all round, missed two chances after the break. However, much to the relief of his team-mates and the travelling supporters, he landed two penalties and a conversion to make the score 18-9.

Seven years ago
Rotherham travelled to Bristol and produced one of their most memorable wins. Both Rotherham and Bristol finished top of the league that year with 22 wins and 4 defeats each; Bristol eventually edging the league by the slenderest of points difference margins and gained automatic promotion. Having won the first encounter 16-5 at Clifton Lane, the visitors out-played and out-classed their promotion rivals producing a remarkable 36-31 away win. The home side had drafted in the services of England prop Jeff Probyn but were out-powered by Roth's pack; John Dudley was at his fiercest that day. Tries from Roth's local flyer Dean Lax, flankers Neil Spence and Ben Wade and centre Mike Umaga left the home side reeling. Rhodesian flyhalf Doug Trivella converted two of the tries and landed four penalties. A dubious late penalty try gave Bristol the vain hope of salvaging the game but the visitors were not to be moved that day. 

Nine years ago
In Roth's first season at the current level, they travelled to Waterloo and produced a remarkable fight back - after a poor first half - to overcome their hosts 27-23. Waterloo Drummers were descent opposition in those days having previously beaten Rotherham in the Cup. Craig West was in outstanding form that day, tries were scored by scrumhalf Guy Easterby and winger Dean Lax who also converted his and four penalties. flyhalf Simon Binns, who missed a couple of easy penalties in the first half atoned with a drop-goal in the second.

Fourteen years ago
Rotherham were in the early stages of their rise through the leagues. Playing in North One they travelled to Bradford & Bingley for one of only three league meetings the clubs have played. Bradford & Bingley, who are currently coached by ex-Roth's Geoff Wappett, have never beaten Rotherham and lost 24-6. Roth won the league that year with a 100% record, Bradford & Bingley finishing third. The visitor's tries were scored by flyhalf Kevin Plant, prop Sam Coy (must have been a corker) and backrow Richard Selkirk. Scrumhalf Steve Worrall converted all three tries and flyhalf added to his try converting two penalties.