Thank you to our friends at Cornish Pirates for providing the report and photo. Welcome back after a break due to adverse weather.Rotherham Titans 14 Cornish Pirates 19
RFU Championship Round 20
Clifton Lane Rotherham
Monday 13th February
Phil Westren's Match Report
This 'on-off-on-off-on-off' fixture was eventually played at a still cold, but at last a no longer frustratingly frozen Clifton Lane ground.
Running out at 2pm on a Monday afternoon was not ideal, especially for supporters. However, most clearly understood the circumstances and both sides were relieved to have eventually got the game played.
The Cornish side's pack has so often impressed this season and it was pack power that delivered in just the second minute following a fine penalty kick to the corner by fly-half Ceiron Thomas. The 'catch' in catch and drive was secured, and the 'drive' was clinically potent, ending with hooker Dave Ward scoring the game's opening try. Thomas missed the conversion.
Rotherham is never an easy place to go, so it was just the start the Cornish side wanted, but the lead did not last for long as following good play from full-back Tom Foden, brother of England's Ben, the Titans levelled matters with a try scored in the thirteenth minute by lock Barney Maddison and then went in front thanks to full-back Garry Law's conversion.
Wing Grant Pointer was desperately unlucky not to score and Thomas failed with a penalty attempt, but it mattered not when approaching the half-hour mark the Pirates won a ball against the head at scrum time and scrum-half Tom Kessell was alert to take advantage and run in from 20 metres for an unconverted try.
There was credit to the Pirates for being dominant in various facets of play, and when they applied further pressure it suitably told. Forced into making errors, Rotherham also gifted Thomas with two penalty chances that he happily took and delivered to give the Pirates a fully deserved 16-7 points half-time lead.
A third successful penalty struck by Thomas seven minutes into the second period extended the Pirates lead to 19-7, only for Rotherham to hit back with a try scored by replacement Robin Copeland. Third in the league's top try-scorers list, it was the former Plymouth Albion player and Irishman's eleventh of the season, and Law, who has also impressed this season as the league's top points scorer, once again added the conversion.
Into the last quarter of this match, and with the elements having in the wind let loose heavy rain on an increasingly heavy pitch, the on field action well and truly focused the attention. Supporters who were able to get to Clifton Lane were witnessing a gripping game, a slugfest of a contest that was still in the balance.
The final period was one when both sides worked hard to create chances, and when Thomas was also off target with another penalty attempt that came his way, but there would be no further scores as the defences kept strong and the Pirates thankfully held on to record a worthy and rewarding victory. It was remembered that they had lost on their two previous Stage 1 visits to Clifton Lane in the Championship, and on this occasion had to also put up with the on-off frustrations caused by the weather.
Importantly, too, in recording their fifth consecutive win it took them back up to second in the table, which ain't too bad. Indeed, not too bad at all!
Speaking after the game, Cornish Pirates' forwards coach Ian Davies commented: "We knew from past experience that Rotherham is a difficult place to venture and to win, but the team set their stall out early and just rolled up their sleeves and tackled themselves to a standstill.
"It was good to get Darren Daniel back on the field today for what was his Championship debut, and although he had limited opportunities in attack he did everything that was asked of him defensively. Hopefully he will see a bit more ball against Bristol."
Rotherham Titans:
T Foden, C. Kirwan (D. McCall 47), S. Monahan, P. Nonu, S. Hamilton
G. Law, J. Williams, S. Taulava, S. Dougall, S. Dickinson (capt)
B. Maddison (T. Vaioleti 61), N. Patrick (R. Copeland 47), R. O'Donnell, D. Baines (T. Stagg 61), J. Kilbane (B. Harris 47).
Replacements (not used): B. Hooper, E. Tellwright.
Cornish Pirates:
M. Evans, D. Daniel (R. McAtee 78), A. Short, T. Cooper, G. Pointer
C. Thomas, T. Kessell, K. Marriott (capt), P. Burgess, C. Morgan
I. Nimmo, M. Smith (B. Maidment 78), A. Paver, D. Ward, R. Storer (P. Andrew 68).
Replacements (not used):
T. Cowan-Dickie, C. Rimmer, J. Doherty, A. Penberthy.
Scorers
Rotherham
Tries; Madison, Copeland
Conversions; Law 2
Cornish Pirates
Tries; Ward, Kessel
Conversions
Penalties: Thomas 3,
Match Officials
Referee Michael Tutty
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