By Roth Admin
April 8 2004

Rotherham Titans were relegated today when they lost 21 – 35 at home to Gloucester. It was their 17th defeat of the season. Titans were leading 16 - 0 at the break and on course for a shock win, but Gloucester fought back; led by Duncan McRae, the visitors went home with the full 5 points. In a first half in which Rotherham dominated, fly-half Jon Benson scored three penalties and converted Brad Macleod-Henderson’s injury time interception try. It was no more than the Titans deserved. They disrupted Gloucester’s set piece and out mauled them in the loose. Neil Spence was outstanding on his first start since November and skipper Chris Johnson was inspirational as usual. His throw in at the line out was deadly accurate.

It was all the more surprising then, that at half time Rotherham’s Director of Rugby Steph Nel made three changes. The South African had stated earlier that his game plan was to make wholesale changes to the pack during the game. But with hindsight maybe that was not the right thing to do. Afterwards Nel was big enough to say, “I made a mistake with the replacements and it backfired completely!”

Gloucester pretty much dominated the second period and put 35 points on the home side. Two tries apiece from Terry Fanolua and replacement James Forrester did most of the damage and man of the match Duncan McRae chipped in with three conversions, a penalty and a superb 45 metre drop goal. Rotherham’s only score of the second half was on 52 minutes when a break by Stortoni up the right hand side created an opening for Giscard Pieters who did fantastic in cutting back in from the flank to go round Jon Goodridge for Rotherham’s second try.

Rotherham’s second half display was poor when compared to what went before. The line out faltered badly and even the scrum was shaky at times. Some of the kicking towards the end was reminiscent of recent woes and hesitation at the base of the scrum was instrumental in Gloucester’s fourth try.

So the inevitable has happened and Rotherham are relegated. What happens from here for next season is anyone’s guess. Who of the current playing squad are staying? That will no doubt have a big impact on Rotherham’s attempt for promotion. Will they be relegation? Where will Rotherham be playing their games? There is substantial uncertainty regarding the Titans short term future.

15 Bernardo Stortoni, 14 Giscard Pieters, 13 Jon Pritchard, 12 Phil Jones, 11 Anthony Elliott, 10 Jon Benson, 9 Charlie Harrison, 1 Nick Lloyd, 2 Chris Johnson (C), 3 Colin Noon, 4 Glen Kenworthy, 5 Luke Gross, 6 Des Tuavii, 7 Neil Spence, 8 Brad Macleod-Henderson.

Replacements
16 Riaan Olckers, 17 Andy Long, 18 Bloues Volschenk, 19 Geraint Lewis, 20 Ryno van der Merwe, 21 Matt Rhodes, 22 Pete Jorgensen