Powergen National Trophy

Saturday 5th November

Earth Arena, 2.30pm Kick off

Titans 70

Halifax 12

v

Earth Titans: 15 Claassens, 14 Carter (ND Monye 65), 13 Mitchell, 12, L. Strauss (Whitehead 59), 11 Brear, 10 WP Strauss, 9 Kirkwood, 1 Carey (Capt) (Golding 62), 2 Hanna (Conroy 62), 3 Pienaar, 4 Walton (McGowan 51), 5 McComb, 6 Fourie, 7 Cochrane, 8 Hala’ufia.

Replacements: 16 Whitehead, 17 Blackett, 18 ND Monye, 19 Golding, 20 Donald, 21 Conroy, 22 McGowan

Halifax: 15. Marsden 14. Marns 13. Emmerson 12. Sanft 11. Greenwood 10. Eaton 9. Bartlett 1. Richardson 2. C. Mortimer (Capt) 3. Blades 4. R.Hill 5. Smith 6. S. Hill 7. Jessiman 8. Spence

Replacements: 16 Keane, 17 Wilson, 18 Dodd, 19 J. Mortimer, 20 Hughes, 21 Canning, 22 Solomi

 

MATCH REVIEW

There will undoubtedly be sterner tests along the way, but Roth should be commended for displaying a ruthless attitude in their clinical disposal of National 2 side Halifax.

Andre Bester told the players at half time, “Anyone can ‘get up’ for teams like Harlequins, but the mark of a professional is to do the same week in week out for games you are expected to win!” And that’s exactly what they did; adding a further 42 points to the 28 collected in the first half.

Rotherham opened their account after just two minutes when Gareth Brear cut inside to score after good work from Hala’ufia. Hendre Fourie starting his first match since his injury at Bedford added a second on twelve minutes from a catch and drive move.

Just three minutes later Halifax prop Adam Blade reduce the arrears with a pushover try near the corner. Douglas Sanft hit the posts with his conversion attempt.

On 25 minutes Rob Walton went over for number 3 after good pressure from a line out. Five minutes before the break and another fine break by Hala’ufia found Brear who cut back inside nicely to feed Greg Mitchell. Mitchell had enough momentum to crash over when tackled close to the line.

Half Time: Titans 28-5 Halifax

It only took Rotherham a minute to get the faulty scoreboard moving again. This time WP Strauss made the initial break and the ball went through Hala’ufia, Brear, Pienaar and Claassens before arriving with Anthony Carter to score his first try for the club.

Halifax came back and scored a fine try of their own through replacement Gavin Dodd, who had only just come on a minute earlier. Sanft made the conversion.

The try of the match came on 50 minutes. Chris Hala’ufia collected an interception within his own 22 and galloped all of 80 metres to score under the posts. Ten minutes later Hala’ufia followed this up with try number 7 from a driving maul.

Greg Mitchell got his second of the day after good work from WP Strauss and Mike Whitehead, that’s three tries in two games for the Irishman. Eight minutes from time and Gareth Brear collected his second of the day. Brear’s pace is exceptional and if he can add a little bulk to his frame, potentially he has a big future ahead.

It was fitting that the tenth and final try came from WP Strauss as time was just about up. Strauss converted his own try to make it a perfect ten out of ten. Don’t let his masterful kicking display detract from what was a very good all round personal performance, particularly in the second half.

Full Time: Titans 70-12 Halifax

It was a good workout for Rotherham and a chance for one or two players to get their first taste of first team rugby. The task should also boost confidence ahead of the tricky away game at Birmingham next week.

How far can Rotherham go in this competition? Well, like any Cup tournament a lot is dependant of the ‘luck’ of the draw. But the club is taking the Trophy seriously and they will fancy their chances against anyone at Clifton Lane, including Harlequins!

Bedford 61  Blackheath 0 

Blaydon 19  Waterloo 10 

Bradford & Bingley P  Exeter P  (Re-arranged 12-11-05)

Bridgwater & Albion 14  Southend 19 

Cleckheaton 10  Birmingham & Solihull 61 

Cornish Pirates 41  Wharfedale 7 

Earth Titans 70  Halifax 12 

Fylde 0  Plymouth Albion 37 

London Scottish 3  Otley 46 

London Welsh 71  Canterbury 8 

Macclesfield 23  Esher 28 

Newbury 31  Coventry 32 

Nottingham 55  Lydney 3 

Redruth 18  Doncaster 11 

Sedgley Park 13  Harlequins 61  (Playing Sunday)

Stourbridge 3  Moseley 10 

National Division One

Pertemps Bees v Roth

12 November at Sharmans Cross Road

kick off 12.30pm!