By Roth Admin
January 3 2005

Rotherham suffered their 6th defeat in eight games as they crashed 24-12 at Cross Green to Yorkshire rivals Otley. Tries from Jonathan Pendlebury and Jason Keyter were scant reward for Rotherham who in all honesty didn’t deserve anything from the afternoon. The Titans improved after half-time but were never in a position to take the lead after a first-half in which Otley – playing down the slope - dominated throughout.

Former Rotherham fly-half Simon Binns built Otley’s early lead with three successful penalties and the home side scored their first try on the stroke of half-time. Dave Scully’s kick forward evaded Jason Keyter under pressure from Waisale Savatabua and Neil Taylor nipped in to score in the left corner.

The Rotherham backs looked creative despite receiving limited first-half possession. Pete Jorgensen made a 30 metre break inside the first ten minutes but after good endeavour from Oriol Ripol and an infringement, Ramiro Pez missed the penalty attempt.

The fiery fly-half attempted make amends minutes later, but after dancing through the Otley defence he passed to the opposing full-back who had called for the ball.

Savabatua extended Otley’s lead early in the second-half, receiving the ball from the base of the scrum and strolling over un-opposed.

Rotherham began to enjoy more possession and territory and finally broke through on the hour mark. Pendlebury, playing out of position in the back row in the absence of Des Tuiavii, picked up and capitalised on a gaping whole in the Otley cover to touch down.

Pez converted but Otley re-asserted themselves when Savabatua broke from a maul to score. Binns missed all three of his conversion attempts.

The Titans had the last say when replacement fly-half Tom Eaton found Ripol with a ranging pass and he let in Keyter for a try in the right corner. Eaton’s conversion attempt landed short.

Both sides had dubious tries disallowed, opposing veterans Dave Scully and Mike Schmid were adjudged to have been in touch when they grounded the ball.

“Otley played a very simple game but did it well,” said Rotherham’s Assistant Coach Andy Northey afterwards.

“They kept the ball and went forwards. They played with more hunger and deserved the victory.

“We were down to our last 22 players today, there’s a lot of sick ness in the camp and without Craig Short and Des Tuiavii we lacked a bit of aggression.”