National Division 1

14th October 2006

Earth Arena

3.00pm

Titans 33

Nottingham 7

Earth Titans

15 Mike Whitehead, 14 Brian Touhy, 13 Tom Allen, 12 Bernard Hennessey (Jon Buchanan 73), 11 Andrew Turnbull, 10 Gareth Steenson, 9 Jamie Blackwood (Joe Bedford 67), 1 Sam Walsh, 2 Neil Hanna (Hendre Fourie61), 3 Steve Croall (Adam Hopcroft 67), 4 Louis McGowan (Erik Lund 51), 5 Henry Head (Michael McComish 61), 6 Barry Jacobsz, 7 Neil Cochrane (Capt), 8 Jannie Bornman.

Replacements: 16 Erik Lund, 17 Michael McComish, 18 Hendre Fourie, 19 Adam Hopcroft, 20 Brendan Burke, 21 Jon Buchanan, 22 Joe Bedford.

Nottingham

15 Nirmalendran, 14 Logan, 13 Dodge, 12 Molenaar, 11 Jackson, 10 Barlow, 9  Springall, 1 Parr, 2 Duffey, 3 Hopkins, 4 Rouse, 5 Morley (Capt), 6 Stannard, 7 Loney, 8 George.

Replacements:  16, Fowkes, 17 Mundy, 18 Raven, 19 Burgess, 20 Thompson, 21 Meek, 22 Wilson.

Titans Head Coach Andre Bester, surprised at the lowly league position Nottingham are in said, “They came to play rugby and to chase the game, but we were patient in our defence and we scored some brilliant counter attacking tries.”

In front of the Titans biggest crowd of the season (1,438) Brian Tuohy increased his try tally to six for the season, as he scored a brace in the first half.

Sandwiched in between was a Mike Whitehead try, set up by an outrageous dummy from fly half Gareth Steenson. Whitehead deservedly won the man of the match award for his all round performance.

Although Whitehead is not playing in his preferred 10 shirt, his contribution was excellent. He joined the line well, kicked soundly, positioned himself competently and made two excellent try saving tackles.

Nottingham battled well for long periods but time and again the Roth defence proved to be impregnable. Just before the hour mark the Notts defence proved to be anything but, as second rower Erik Lund breezed down the blind side of a maul unchallenged to touch down.

Just as it appeared as though Nottingham might be nilled, open side flanker Alex Loney touched down from a catch and drive move near the Roth Line, Tom Barlow converted. It was a score that the visitors deserved for their never say die approach to the game.

Late on from turnover ball Tom Allen raced 60 metre’s to touch down near the corner to put the icing on the cake. Allen deserved his try and it was just reward for another impressive performance.

Gareth Steenson had another good day with the boot, slotting an impressive four out of five. Commenting on the one he missed, Steenson said, “It was the easiest one of the lot!”

Finally a mention must be made for loose head prop Sam Walsh, Sam had his best game yet in a Roth shirt and was involved in two tries.

Final Score: Rotherham 33-7 Nottingham

Attendance: 1438

Other Weekend Results

Sat 14 October 06

Bedford 25-21 Leeds

Doncaster 29-13 Coventry

London Welsh 24-30 Exeter

Moseley 17-22 Newbury

Otley 30-17 Waterloo

Plymouth Albion 38-29 Pertemps Bees

Sedgley Park 3-55 Cornish Pirates

National Division 1

Rotherham v London Welsh - 21 October, at The Earth Arena.

kick off 3.00pm