National Division 1

4th March 2007

Meadow Lane

Nottingham 8

Titans 27

Earth Titans

15 Mike Whitehead, 14 Brian Tuohy, 13 Showan Smith, 12 Shane Stewart, 11 Errie Claassens, 10 Gareth Steenson, 9 Joe Bedford (Capt), 1 Sam Walsh, 2 Neil Hanna (Conroy 75), 3 Adam Hopcroft, 4 Erik Lund (Cochrane 73), 5 Louie McGowan, 6 Hendre Fourie, 7 Bernard Hennessey, 8 Jannie Bornman.

Replacements: 16 Steve Croall, 17 Gareth McComb, 18 Nigel Conroy, 19 Neil Cochrane, 20 Tom Allen, 21 Andrew Turnbull, 22 Jamie Blackwood.

Nottingham

15 Rohaan Nirmalendran, 14 Josh Kay, 13 Alex Dodge, 12 Tim Molenaar, 11 Ben Thompson, 10 Tom Barlow, 9 Kevin Brennan, 1 Matt Parr, 2 Joe Duffey, 3 Nigel Hall, 4 Sam Raven, 5 Nic Rouse, 6 Craig Hammond (Capt), 7 Luke Sherriff, 8 Tim Stannard.

Replacements:  16, Ryan Hopkins, 17 Neil Fowkes, 18 Alex Loney, 19 Dan Montagu, 20 Neil Stenhouse, 21 David Jackson, 22 Tom Kirk.

Post match a pumped-up and emotional Club Captain Joe Bedford said, “That’s the biggest win of the season as far as I’m concerned. To come down here in atrocious conditions, greasy ball, greasy pitch and to get five points – all we wanted today was the win, six three would have done us – and we scored four tries again.

“I’m so proud of the boys and I’m proud of myself as well, because it was in the back of my mind that people will be looking at me under a magnifying glass and saying, “Joe’s made a knock on there, he doesn’t want to play for Rotherham any more.”

Joe continued as he reflected on Bornman’s last ditch effort, “It just sums us up doesn’t it. Since we’ve played Leeds it’s just sparked something special and each and every one of us knows that we can achieve the unachievable.”

Bedford then explained how he felt not enough credit was being given to the squad, “I said to the boys this morning when we met up that I don’t think we’ve had enough pats on the back for what this squad has already achieved so far this season. And people are still – even though we are second in the league – still now putting us down and saying we are not playing well enough.

“Well as far as I’m concerned, if we can continue the way we have done since the start of the year, then no one will stand in our way.”

There’s more from Joe as he wants to assure everyone about his commitment and integrity for the remainder of the season. This will follow the match report.

In poor conditions it was the hosts who scored the first points when Tom Barlow neatly converted a penalty 30 metres out, after Roth had infringed at a ruck.

Rotherham responded on 7 minutes when a catch and drive move crabbed infield, then after a number of pick and goes up popped Hendre Fourie to crash over from close range for his 11^th try of the season. Steenson converted from almost in front.

Incredibly for all of Rotherham’s dominance in terms of territory and possession, their next score didn’t arrive until one minute before half time. And it was a testimony to the dogged Nottingham defence that it came from a rare Rotherham penalty attempt, Steenson tagged the three points from in font of the posts.

Rotherham had created first half chances but poor handling near the line had cost them dearly on two occasions – although the ball must have seemed like a bar of soap at times.

Rotherham however, did start the second half with more urgency and were rewarded just three minutes in, when man of the match Jannie Bornman touched down after a Roth catch and drive near the Nottingham line. Steenson missed the penalty, but the officials must have been the only ones in Meadow Lane who thought so.

Nottingham secured their first serious period of possession inside the Rotherham 22 ten minutes into the second half. Another catch and drive move just five metres from the Roth line saw scrum half Kevin Brennan emerge with the unconverted try to narrow the gap to 8-15.

Two minutes later and another Roth chance went begging when poor handling once again let them down. Undeterred though Rotherham continued to press and on the hour mark scored their third try.

Fourie broke the gain line and found Joe Bedford on hand, Bedford quickly shipped it out to Brian Tuohy on the wing and the Ulsterman raced home to score in the corner.

With 20 minutes remaining Rotherham went in search of the bonus point that potentially could be so vital to their Championship aspirations. But Nottingham were not about to just roll over and give it to them, they had their own agenda.

As the game entered deep into injury time and with the ball in Nottingham’s hands just five metres short of the Roth line, it appeared more likely that the hosts would be the ones collecting a bonus point.

Then suddenly Roth turned over the ball and broke, it appeared as though a try was on but the greasy ball was knocked on by Mike Whitehead – who had had a fine game with limited ball. Nottingham quickly gathered and breezed into the 22 – advantage over.

Rotherham then once again turned ball over; the ball then arrived with Fourie who quickly threw it wide to Jannie Bornman on the edge of his own 22. Off Bornman galloped at a pace with Errie Claassens on his shoulder. As the cover defence approached, instead of passing, Bornman brutally handed off and raced wing-like to touch down for an incredible finish. Steenson nicely converted from touch.

The reaction of the Rotherham players at the end surely can leave no doubt as to the commitment of every single one of them.

Final Score: Nottingham 8-27 Rotherham

The last word goes to the ever increasing calm and relaxed Head Coach Andre Bester, “To get five points away to Nottingham in those conditions is simply brilliant. And if there were anybody out there who doubted the commitment of this bunch of players, then that performance should eradicate them totally.

“I don’t know how many players will leave the club, but I can tell you now, each and every one of them will die for each other before they go and they will be able to hold their heads up high.

“Now we move on and plan for Plymouth next week.”

Attendance: 1048

Other Weekend Results

Sat 3 March 07

EDF National Trophy 1/4 Finals

Doncaster 10 - 13 Cornish Pirates
Exeter 43 - 3 Lydney
Newbury 10 - 23 Birmingham & Solihull
Plymouth Albion 17 - 6 Coventry
 

National Division 1

Rotherham v Plymouth Albion - 10 March at Clifton Lane.

kick off 3.00pm