Another away win achieved in wet conditions courtesy of 15 first half point from two tries and a penalty. Rotherham replied with 10 of their own in the second half which although not threatening to win got them a well deserved first point of the season and ensured another nervous finish.

Taking this report seriously I located the ground on Friday and bought the Rotherham Advertiser which had excellent Titans coverage. A report on their Narbonne match, the Irish preview, player profile, captains and coaches views, but especially the voucher to get in the ground on the cheap. With my programs of our previous 2 encounters and the Yorkshire post preview that morning I had some confidence to put myself about amongst the Rotherham fans. Easy really, you couldn’t meet more friendly people, though I suppose having flat vowels myself helps.

This was my first away match since the Powergen semi at Kassam, and what a contrast. On a cold wet windy afternoon the friendliness of Rotherham fans and staff cannot be faulted. Car park £2, entrance to Tivoli stand £10 for two adults, beer £2 a pint, Santas throwing gifts, a brass band playing carols, and 2 games of mini rugby at half time gave fantastic value and a seasonal atmosphere. The teams produced some good rugby on what was never going to be a high scoring affair in the wet.

More importantly I had a great time with my Dad at his first LI match, and I met some of the hard core Eastiebeasties at the ground and at the Clifton clubhouse. Preparation is key to rugby matches for spectators as well as the teams, so we were warm and dry, plenty of layers, thick socks and gloves, flask of coffee, half time pies and a hip flask to celebrate those scoring moments. We’d arrived an hour early so I had a chance to see Totfy practicing, ask the band if they knew the Fields, get a wet pint and chat to the locals about their team and prospects. Maybe its easier to do this at places like the Tivoli stand which is open, standing with crush barriers, than at seated stadia.

My full notes translate into an epic, so you’ll just get the highlights here.

First Half.

After 5 minutes Bishop runs the ball back on a break through, Irish are awarded their first penalty.

We’re 45metres out and about 10 in from the left, rain is still coming down, unfortunately Toftys kick is just short and left of the posts. Territory and pressure but no points yet after a good opening 5 minutes, good kicking and solid lineout as it will be all day.

The Rov 22 drop out goes down the middle, is again turned over midfield, but Rov themselves then knock forward.

Good ball from the Irish scrum goes openside inside Rov half till Tofty dummies and breaks through one tackle. The Irish start singing ‘The Fields’ as the full back is drawn the pass is slipped to Horak who scores 10 metres in from the right. Neat move,  5-0 to the Irish after 7 minutes.

Conversion is missed just short and central but the Irish are singing, drums are banging.

Just before half time Paul Gustard breaks from a maul, central 30metres out, no apparent cover to beat, easily converted. 12-0 Irish.

Into injury time and Tofty penalty from 45m just left of centre is banged over, with a low hard kick straight between. He meant that one and the Irish go in 15-0 ahead and deserving it.

Second Half.

Rov lineout leads to a maul which Irish kill and are penalised. Its 40metres out and about 12 in from the left, easier than the one Tofty missed and Jon Benson duly bangs it over for their first points. 15-3.

Irish kick off goes into touch but not 10 metres, Rov scrum on half way starts a long spell of pressure.

Format for the next few minutes is Rov lineout, ruck, maul as they have the ball, camped in our 22. Irish line outs inside our 22 and we try to get it clear. Eventually Irish penalty and the home support groans.

Irish appear to have weathered the storm, the clock is running down till with 10 minutes to go we concede a shock try. Attacking inside the Rov 22 the Edwards? Is brought down 5 metres short, kneeling he tries to pass back to support Horak? but its intercepted, offloaded very laterally, and Micheal Wood finishes a 75 metre move in the right hand corner beating the chasing Sackey. Ref and Touch judge consult over the grounding and decide that its good. The home fans are making a lot of noise, and are glad to have Wood back from injury. It’s a stunning turnaround for Irish, looking all set to score but conceding. 15-8 now, and the home crowd go ballistic as the conversion from the touchline sails through. 15-10

A frantic finish saw Sackey doing a balletic high hack into touch, 3 Irish attackers just being beaten by the touchline after Tofty hacked into space, and equal pressure from both sides.

Full Time and 15-10 to the Irish, 4 ZP points takes us to second if only temporarily, and Rotherham have a display and a point.

Crowd was low but they were all committed. The tight finish meant the everyone stayed. I was later told in the clubhouse that the promotion season had led to some new supporters but that these had drifted away due to results. Coach Nel has 6 new players and I would imagine that Bath will not get anything like their 47-3 scoreline of earlier in the season. They had good kicking and ball retention for  periods, they may need a better lineout.

After the game I introduced myself to Dublinannette and also Bisach and got to the Clifton clubhouse. The Eastiebeasties adding a huge amount of colour and style to the proceedings with their plaited green wigs, sparkly boas, tight leather trousers, spiked heels and waterproof mascara.  If only the girls had made an effort.

 I did also met Sarah from the Titans who explained the absence of the James Brown doll. Apparently he’d been over  to Narbonne the previous weekend and had not survived trip after partying hard. A shame to miss him but there was so much more to enjoy at Rotherham, I wish them all the best.

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