By Roth Admin
October 27 2003

Rotherham Titans produced their best performance of the season so far with a spirited display away at London Irish. The game was an eventful one, which produced seven try’s, a yellow card for a late challenge and some excellent running rugby. The game got off to a frenetic start and after just 3 minutes Irish scored their 1st try. Elliott sliced clearance gave Irish an attacking line out on the Rotherham 22. From the ensuing rucks that followed, Rotherham conceded a penalty just inside their own 22. It was at this point, that a combination of speed of thought by Irish’s fly half Mapletoft and Rotherham’s inability to re-organise themselves quickly, that a cheeky cross-field kick was gathered by Irish and Bishop went over for the 1st try. Mapletoft converted. Just 2 minutes later and a dominant Irish increased their lead to 10. From a 5-metre scrum, Mapletoft who was sat in the pocket slotted home a drop goal. The Rotherham players as well as the estimated 200 travelling fans were shell-shocked.

However on 7 minutes, Rotherham produced some exhilarating rugby. Turnover ball was quickly recycled through a number of phases and slick handling through the backs enabled John Benson to score Rotherham’s best try of the season. Jason Strange converted. Irish continued to press and after a sustained period of pressure and quick ball, allied to Rotherham committing too many men to the rucks and mauls, the ball was spun to the right wing and Paul Sackey went over in the corner for Irish’s 2nd try. Mapletoft converted. On 15 minutes Rotherham narrowed the gap to just 7 points. Rotherham were playing some good attacking rugby and phase after phase of Rotherham pressure drew Irish in to committing a penalty and Jason Strange stroked it home nicely. But back came Irish once again and just 3 minutes later, a poor Rotherham defence allowed Horack in to score Irish’s 3rd try. Mapletoft converted.

On 22 minutes Benson collected the high ball, (doesn’t he always) and kicked for the corner. A late and dangerous challenge on Benson earned Kieron Roche a deserved yellow card and a 10-minute rest. From the resulting penalty Jason Strange kicked successfully. By now Rotherham was the dominant side and was playing their best rugby of the season. Irish were coming under more and more pressure and an Irish player came in from the side to try and stop a Rotherham maul. The penalty was awarded and Jason Strange made no mistake. Rotherham continued to dominate and Irish were losing their composure rapidly. A scrum was awarded 5 metres away from the Irish line and the Irish panicked and threw the ball waywardly to their in goal area. The ball appeared to be covered in butter as none of the Irish players could get to grips with it, but then along came Anthony Elliott and dived on to the loose ball and scored Rotherham’s 2nd try of the game. Once again Jason Strange converted.

There were no more points scored in the 1st half. With the half time score stood at Irish 24 Rotherham 23, the talk between Rotherham supporters was about not only winning the match, but also collecting the bonus point well.

When 3 minutes in to the 2nd half Jason Strange successfully scored a long-range penalty to put Rotherham ahead, it appeared that the improbable was about to become possible. But injuries to Anthony Elliott and Peter Jorgensen meant they were not to come out for the 2nd half. Also just 2 minutes in to the second period the impressive Leon Greef went off injured. It wasn’t to be known at that time, but Rotherham were about to loose their dominance and momentum that had been created.

Two penalties on 50 and 51 minutes by Mapletoft put Irish back in to the lead and then the live wire Mapletoft received an injury and was help from the field. The game was still in the balance with only 11 minutes remaining. But then as all teams at the bottom of the table will tell you, when you are at the bottom you never get the rub of the green. In Rotherham’s case, that was about to be proven. Everitt, on for the injured Mapletoft attempted a drop goal, 15 metres in and about 30 metres out. The quick Rotherham defence superbly charged this down, but the bounce favoured Irish and Everitt collected the loose ball to run over for Irish's 4th try and effectively seal the game. Everitt converted his own try to make the score 40 – 26.

Rotherham continued to fight and went in search of a bonus point that they would have deserved. However in injury time Irish broke clear and Horak scored his 2nd try of the game and Irish’s 5th. Everitt converted to give the score a lopsided look to it.

The victory moves Irish up to 5th in the league and Rotherham still looking for their 1st point of the season. But based on Rotherham’s performance at Irish, the points should start coming in sooner rather than later. Starting at home to Saracens next Saturday, Rotherham must be confident of their 1st win of the season.

Rotherham’s Man of the match: Jacob Rauluni.