Bedford 33 Rotherham Titans 26: Swindall's yellow card so costly for Titans

Rotherham showed plenty of character and enterprise but in a tense and exciting contest, they failed to achieve their goal of avoiding the relegation play-offs, which begin against Coventry at Clifton Lane on Saturday.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Mar 2010, 09:21 BST
Updated 15th Mar 2010, 09:21 BST

Rotherham's other opponents are Moseley and Birmingham and Solihull, home and away, and finishing against Coventry in the Midlands on May 1.

The Titans needed to win, and once they had established a 19-7 lead on 20 minutes after fine tries by forwards Adam Kleeberger, Matt Challinor and Ryan Burrows, it appeared that their superiority in the pack would deliver salvation.

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However, just before the interval, a yellow card against flanker and captain Steve Swindall instigated a collapse and cost 20 points while they were reduced to 14 men.

Two penalties by goal-kicker James Pritchard, followed by rapid tries from replacement centre Liam Roberts and No 8 Ben Lewitt, both converted, ruined Rotherham's progress.

It would be harsh and wrong to blame Swindall entirely for his side's downfall because Rotherham's defence was also at fault, missing tackles as Bedford counter-attacked stylishly to score tries on 45 and 47 minutes.

So, within seven minutes, Rotherham lost concentration, lost a potential match-winning position and gave Bedford a 27-19 lead.

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Nevertheless, Rotherham displayed the right attitude in adversity and once again their dominant pack tore into Bedford, pressure gaining the award of a penalty try.

The conversion cut Bedford's lead to 27-26 and they still had the opportunity to clinch the victory to confirm a place in the Championship.

However, mistakes set up two kickable penalties for Pritchard on 65 and 72 minutes and a second yellow card, this time against Burrows, reduced Rotherham's strength again.

Still they attacked, fly-half Michael Whitehead being tackled just short and Kleeberger and Gregor Hayter leading vigorous assaults.

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On this evidence, Rotherham have sufficient talent and power to succeed in the relegation play-offs and stay up.

Bedford Blues: Pritchard, Fielden, Burke, Vass, Dodge (Roberts 9), Dorrian, Chudley (Walshe 69), Cecere, Richmond, Boulton (Seal 52), Harlock, Gillanders, Rae, Harding (Goodman 67), Lewitt.

Rotherham Titans: Hunt, Feeley, Maggs, Gidlow (Henderson 51), Swatkins, Whitehead, Chivers (West 52), O'Donnell, Batty (Conroy 41), Prescott, Challinor, Denton (Hayter 41), Swindall (Du Plessis 48), Kleeberger Burrows.

Referee: K Lewis (RFU).

Related topics:RotherhamBedfordCoventry