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London Welsh 30 Rotherham Titans 24: Titans have only themselves to blame as lead is squandered
THIS was a much-improved performance by Rotherham, who played some sparkling rugby for an hour as they came close to toppling a side they should have beaten twice this season.
The Titans, who scored four excellent tries by backs Kevin Maggs, Brad Hunt and Andrew Henderson and by flanker Adam Kleeberger, his first for the club, left Old Deer Park with two points which could be invaluable in their fight to climb away from the relegation play-off area.
What will particularly disappoint the team and coaches Craig West and Kevin Maggs, who injured an ankle, is that Rotherham threw away a match-winning lead of 24-13 and allowed London Welsh to cross their line three times between 60 and 72 minutes.
Two of the Welsh tries by flanker Guy Mercer and No 8 Tom Brown were the results of Rotherham errors.
On the hour, they kicked possession away which enabled their opponents to set up a driving maul that created Mercer's score. Only nine minutes later, Rotherham lost control of the ball at a lineout on their line and from the scrum Brown picked up and dashed over.
So, the initiative that had been established as Rotherham played their best attacking rugby of the Championship campaign had been wiped away, and once their former player, South African winger Errie Claassens had touched down for his second try, the momentum was lost.
Tenth in the league, Rotherham know full well the scale of the challenge they face if they are to avoid competing in the relegation play-offs, but collectively they will be encouraged by strong performances from centre PJ Gildow, who relished clattering anyone standing in his way, and Canadian flanker Kleeberger, whose appearances have been restricted by injury and international duties.
Another high quality effort was delivered by No 8 Sam Dickinson and, therefore, having built a 24-13 lead, it was a surprise that one of the Titans' most dangerous forwards was replaced.
Rotherham's enterprise and creativity, sparked by captain Michael Whitehead at fly-half, shone in the first 60 minutes, and with Maggs, Gildlow, Hunt and Henderson attacking in the backs, a rare away win was on.
But until they learn how to protect a lead, the Titans may not improve their position.
London Welsh: Thomas, Lewis, Mackey, Whatling, Claassens, Ross, Runciman, Williams, George, Ward, Garvey, Corker, Mills, Mercer, Brown.
Rotherham Titans: Coulbeck (West 69), Henderson, Maggs (Buckley 52), Gidlow (Swatkins 62), Hunt, Whitehead, Chivers, Voisey (O'Donnell 62), Conroy, Prescott, Barnes, Challinor (Burrows 49), Kleeberger, Du Plessis, Dickinson (Swindall 59).
Referee: S Davey.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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