Moseley 26 Rotherham 32: Titans honour coach with crucial victory

Blackett insisted in yesterday’s The Yorkshire Post that Rotherham would have his undivided attention from now until the end of the season after it was confirmed that he would be joining Premiership stalwarts Wasps in the summer as backs coach.

And the head coach proved as good as his word as he orchestrated a crucial bonus-point win for the Titans that puts them back in the box seat in the race for the fourth and final play-off place.

Rotherham – beaten by lowly Moseley on Boxing Day in what was one of their worst performances of the season – showed their attacking guile at Billesley Common last night to build a healthy lead, and then the defensive resolve to hold out when the hosts became desperate late on.

Twice Rotherham fell behind to converted tries in the first half but on each occasion they responded swiftly, flanker Jack Preece and lock Sean Robinson touching down, fly-half James McKinney converting the first.

The Ulsterman was on the mark moments later to convert scrum-half Dan White’s try before the bonus point for four tries was wrapped up before half-time when Willie Ryan scored a third try from the forwards.

The second half was more about preserving what they had, with two McKinney penalties and a strong defensive performance ensuring Rotherham climb back into fourth.