By Stefan
March 19 2006

EARTH TITANS 'A', hellbent on reclaiming their top spot in the league, achieved their goal by three tries to two at Wharfedale – but only just. Scrappy it might have been but Roth's pack, dominant in the set-piece, produced their 10th league win.

After their first league loss last weekend, the Titans - led by the forwards - put in a creditable performance to grind out a win and regain their top spot in the NCA North table.

And with the next game being at home against Doncaster on Saturday, the timing couldn’t have been better to produce a morale-boosting victory.

They need, however, to work hard in training in the week to resolve the weaknesses so apparent at Wharfedale - among them, sloppy mistakes in mid-field, slow ball from rucks and mauls, lack of imagination in attack and a failure to capitalise on quality possession.

Rotherham’s forwards won sufficient ball in the early stages to suggest that Wharfedale would be embarrassed. They took a ten-point lead and dominated early territory, however, the Titans went into the break 12-10 down and Wharfedale finished the first half the stronger side.

It was so frustrating to watch them lose authority, but in the second half - inspired by the pack - they bounced back to run the show and pull off a tight 18-15 win.

Titans 'A' could have not wished for a better start.

In the first minute the pack produced a powerful drive dangerously close to the Wharfedale line. The referee intervened, penalising Wharfedale for pulling down the maul he awarded a penalty try – a stroke of luck possibly - and sin-binned the home side's number eight. The conversion attempt was charged down in front of the posts.

No sooner had the game re-started that the visitors were back on the attack. They pinned their Wharfedale counterparts in their own 22 and on 6 minutes, the pressure was finally rewarded and after dominant mauling, prop forward Sam Walsh was driven over to extend the lead to ten points.

The Titans were on top in the first twenty minutes but Wharfedale fought back like tigers to force Rotherham to work extremely hard for the rest of the half.

The home side's first foray into the 22 produced a sin-binning as the Titans attempted to illegally spoil a ruck close to the try line. The attempted catch and drive move from the ensuing penalty produced a tricky moment for the visitors. However, a classy line out steal cleared the immediate danger. They survived their stern test but it was not long before the man-advantage was exploited by Wharfedale.

Tries on 25 and 27 minutes, one converted, gave the lead to the home side. The tries handed them the initiative for the rest of the half, for several periods Wharfedale were on top and another upset was certainly possible.

In the second half the Titans re-established their territorial dominance and with it and took control of the game. An exchange of penalties, Roth's converted by replacement flyhalf Tom Bullough on 53 minutes, made the score 15-13 to Wharfedale as the closing stages approached.

The decisive breakthrough came on 65 minutes when Will Crossley's try gave the Titans the lead.

Roth's forwards won possession deep into Wharfedale territory and a crisp effort from the forwards produced a drive which was brought down in front of the touchline.

The killer blow was delivered when lock forward Crossley collected the ball, his speed from the base of the ruck sent him over from a couple of yards out for a match winning score.
 
Quite why 60 minutes separated Rotherham's tries will no doubt be analysed this week. True, much credit must be given to Wharfedale's resolve. But it was surprising given their storming start that the league favourites struggled to make more impact.

The Titan's forwards played a crucial role in securing the narrow win. Forwards Will Crossley and James Waterhouse - both making their first league starts for the A-team - impressed taking the attack to Wharfedale. Crossley's try secured the victory and Waterhouse ran the ball at the Wharfedale defence at every opportunity.

Earth Titans:
15 Gareth Brear; 14 Gareth Morley, 13 Charlie Hands (Peter Lewis 61), 12 Will Kirtley, 11 Peter Lewis (Dave Bolton 61); 10 Charlie Spon-Smith (Tom Bullough 51), 9 Alex Drage; 1 Jamie Kilbane (Tom Dixon 58), 2 Jonny Larby (Gareth Mist 60), 3 Sam Walsh, 4 Tim Maslanyk, 5 Will Crossley, 6 Tristan Laga, 7 Nick Barrett, 8 James Waterhouse.

Titans Scorers:
Sam Walsh (T), Will Crossley (T), Penalty (T), Tom Bullough (P).

Yellow Card:
Charlie Spon-Smith (22 min.)