By Stefan
October 15 2005

THE Earth Titans A Team lost out in the dying moments of a tight game against a strong Loughborough University 1st XV. A handful of people turned out at Clifton Lane in the rain to watch the match.

The Titans all but had this game won; a powerful performance from the pack producing sustained periods of dominance and three tries should have been enough, but a poor last quarter proved to be costly and handed the game to the visitors.

The University of Loughborough came out with all guns blazing with their backs always threatening. The visitors, coached by ex-Rotherham favourite Alan Buzza, are the current BUSA champions and were always likely to give the A Team their sternest test of the season. They showed their pedigree from the start mounting sharp and pacey attacks down both flanks, however, the Titans defence held firm and kept them out. They knew they were in for a game!

After the initial onslaught, the home pack started to get a grip on the game. The tight-five were in outstanding form and dominated their counterparts, especially in the mauls. They produced the first try of the game on 15 minutes when Hooker Jonny Larby was driven over from short range after sustained pressure on the visitor's line. The conversion attempt was missed.

The Titans almost scored again five minutes later when a clever chip and chase by debutant winger, Paul Bolton, beat the defence but the ball skidded over the dead-ball line to deny him his debut try.

The University side pressed strongly to get back into the game and used their first half wind advantage well with both half-backs threatening. They scored their first try on 23 minutes when the fly half neatly stepped inside the defence to go under the posts. The conversion gave the visitors a 7-5 lead.

The Titans' pack responded with what should have been a match-winning 30-minute period of domination producing two further tries each side of half time.

On 31 minutes a catch and drive move from a full 25 metres gave the home side a 10-7 half time lead. Prop Sam Walsh, back from injury, benefiting from excellent mauling work went over for an unconverted try.

The home pressure continued after the break, the Titans' pack - again - put the visitors under considerable pressure. They went further ahead on 55 minutes when fullback, Ben McPhearson, scored under the posts after a sustained period on the try line had left Loughborough defences in array. Ben McPhearson converting his try to give the home side a 17-7 lead.

But all their excellent efforts before the hour mark were shattered by the self-inflicted blows that were to follow in the last quarter. The turning point came when prop, Jamie Kilbane, left the field injured. The momentum went the way of Loughborough as they piled up 12 points to win the game. A converted try on 60 minutes and an uncovered try on 78 minutes effectively handed the game to the visitors.

Earth Titans:
B.McPhearson; P.Bolton, J.Wooton, W.Kirtley, ND Monye; C.Spon-Smith, A.Drage; J.Kilbane, J.Larby, S.Walsh, N.Pike (Capt.), T.Maslanyk, N.Barrett, J.Earp, R.Sawyer.

Replacememnts:
J.McMillan, C.Ross, C.Griffiths, T.Rice, N.Vessey, J.Corlett.

Scorers:
B.McPhearson (TC), S.Walsh (T), J.Larby (T).