By Baldur on 05/04/2004
April 9 2004

Last season saw Rotherham Titans running rampant in the National League 1 and being promoted full of optimism for this term. But Friday’s game at Millmoor only served to emphasise the huge gulf in class between the National Leagues and the Zurich Premiership.

In what was arguably Rotherham’s best chance of a victory this season they were finally seen off by an underperforming Leeds team 34-20. Passion and commitment (from the fans as well as the players!) count for little unfortunately, what matters is putting points on the board and the Tykes did this seemingly without hitting top gear.

Tykes fly-half and man-of-the-match Gordon Ross gave his team the lead with two penalties before Titans lock Van Zyl touched down and Jones converted to put the home side 7-6 up and instil hope among the Titan’s faithful that a first ZP win was possible. Hope which lasted only about two minutes before Ross went over for the first of his two tries, which he duly converted to give the Tykes a 13-7 lead. A lead which they never relinquished.

Ross was involved in Leeds next try too, putting Leeds favourite Diego Albanese over for his first try of the season which Ross again converted to give the Tykes a 20-7 cushion. Jones kept Rotherham in the match with penalties either side of half-time and reduce the deficit to seven points, but it was simply not enough as again Ross was involved in Leeds' next try, breaking from 35 yards before Leeds number two Rawlinson went in under the posts. (Not sure what was up with Ronnie, by the way) A simple conversion from Ross put the Tykes 27-13 in front and Rotherham knew it was all over.

But that didn’t stop them trying however, although tiring and up against a much fitter Leeds team they never gave up. Ross though, went over for his second try of the match and added the extra two points after seventy-five minutes and Leeds had the game sewn up. But still Rotherham came, and got a deserved if irrelevant try from Volschenk which Jones converted.

Now it may be a little churlish to criticise a performance from which we take maximum points, and away from home at that, but Leeds seemed hesitant at times to take advantage and could perhaps have scored more tries. Whether it was lack of confidence I’m not sure but I’d like to see the backs being a little more incisive. And although the pack weren’t being pushed all over the field this game, we have to bear in mind that we were playing the bottom team in the league. PD has to sign some BIG forwards before the start of the next season.

On a personal note I’d like to say thanks to all the Roth fans we met (and even the Sheffield Wednesday fan who told us ‘I hope the Rhinos win tonight, cos I hate Rotherham!). Good luck for next season and I hope to see you back in the ZP soon. We need as many Yorkshire/Northern teams in the top flight as we can get.

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