By Stefan
December 29 2005

THE weekly delve into the record books for games played in previous years over the Christmas period sees home encounters against Leicester, Blackheath and Harrogate and Rotherham on the road at Sale Sharks, Bristol and Moseley.

Two years ago
The Titans travelled to Stockport for a Premiership fixture against Sale. The game was played in front of a then record crowd for Sale and they witnesses a fine display from the home pack who dominated and provided quick ball aplenty for Sale's pacey backs to run riot in a comfortable 35-7 win. All of Roth's points came from flyhalf Phil Jones who crossed the whitewash in the first half, while the Titans were still in with a shout, he converted his own try.

Three years ago
Rotherham made the trip to Bristol for a Powergen Cup fixture. Rotherham, the National League One champions completed an unbeaten 2002 by stubbornly overcoming Premiership opponents 24-19 in an outstanding display. Mike Schmid, Matt Oliver and Michael Wood delivered the killer tries with Ramiro Pez converted all three and landed a penalty. Rotherham demonstrating significant promise showed killer instinct against their Premiership opponents. Mike Schmid scored his signature try when he outwitted the opposing scrum to run unhindered from a set piece. His try was made famous by the photograph that seems to have appeared just about everywhere. However, his try was not the best try of the game. That honour goes to the one created by the superb Mike Umaga who worked a neat move with Ramiro Pez that put Matt Oliver over near the posts - brilliantly executed and arguably one of Roth's finest ever tries!

Five years ago
Leicester Tigers travelled to Clifton Lane for a Premiership game and they looked every inch what they were, European champions. They ran out 27-9 winners against a hapless Rotherham who's subdued performance - in freezing conditions -  did not match up to the promise of the season's earlier encounter at Welford Road. All of Roth's points came from the boot of Luke Smith, the diminutive South African landed two first-half penalties and bought Roth back into the game after a disastrous start. Most memorable event in that game was the streaker who ran onto the pitch and was ignored by just about everybody. He eventually walked off and disappeared into the crowd. I personally thought he was trying to do an impersonation of a brass monkey looking for a soldering iron!

Eight years ago
Rotherham took on Moseley at the Reddings. At the time, Doug Ellis - millionaire owner of Aston Villa - was bank-rolling Rotherham's hosts who were determined to climb into the Premiership. Rotherham outplayed Moseley in the pouring rain in front of a large Christmas crowd who were expecting a home win. This is a game when Rotherham came of age and aserted their own aspirations. The final score was 25-23 with tries coming from a youthful Ben Wade and Simon Binns. The referee gave Rotherham a penalty try as Moseley took desperate action to hold out a superior pack. Dean Lax who was on kicking duty that day scored a penalty and two conversions.

Nine years ago
Newly promoted Rotherham entertained Blackheath at Clifton Lane for the return fixture of Rotherham's first game at National One level. In that game they were roundly beaten 44-5 by the visitors.  They avenged their defeat with a 39-11 victory. Tries came from lock forward Gavin Webster (2), scrumhalf Guy Easterby, winger Nick Miller and hooker Richard Wareham (Biff). Dean Lax added and penalty and four conversions while flyhalf Simon Binns landed a drop-goal.

Thirteen Years ago
Rotherham played out a dull 6-6 draw against local rivals Harrogate at Clifton Lane. Roth's points came from the boot of Steve Worrall who score two penalties. This is one of only three league draws, two of them at Clifton Lane.