Bester bemoans Titans’ failure to take try-scoring openings

The Titans ultimately paid for poor execution and a lack of composure at crucial times as they squandered several fine try-scoring chances that – had they been taken – would have seen them secure victory in their latest Championship play-off game.

With Leeds Carnegie drawing 24-24 at home to Bedford, Rotherham slip to the bottom of Pool B with three matches remaining.

Bester said: “We’re disappointed not to come away with a win, because we felt we had a lot more opportunities than them to score tries and put the game beyond them.

“We also gave them two very soft tries.

“But I have got to take my hat off to the players. They kept on playing and fighting, and we are still alive in this group.

“Nothing is over and we have got two home matches now to look forward to and give us an opportunity to push ourselves up the table.

“We need to try and get to 12 points, and see if anyone else can get there.”

Rotherham made a dream start when centre Dave McCall scored a try after only three minutes following a missed tackle by Sam Hill.

But Pirates hit back almost straight away when a blindside move by captain Gavin Cattle provided a try for winger Grant Pointer.

Two penalties by Titans fly-half Garry Law to one from Pirates full-back Rob Cook made it 11-8 to the visitors, but the Yorkshiremen blew a superb chance for a try just past the half-hour mark when Shane Monahan made a fine break but fatally delayed his final pass to Robin Copeland and the ball went to ground.

The Titans suffered a telling blow just before half-time as the impressive Cattle darted over off the back of a maul, and Cook’s fine conversion gave the hosts a 15-11 interval lead.

Law (2) and Cook again exchanged further penalties to leave Titans only 18-17 behind after 55 minutes, before Pirates scored what proved to be the match-clinching try through Pointer’s second of the contest, with Cook adding the extras to put the Cornishmen two scores clear.

Law then missed a long-range penalty, and lock Adrian Griffiths dropped the ball with the try line at his mercy as Titans frustratingly failed to score again.

Rotherham must now beat Pirates at Clifton Lane next Saturday to stand any chance of reaching the play-off semi-finals.

Cornish Pirates: Cook, Pointer, Suniula, Hill, Evans (Kessell 40), Thomas, Cattle (capt), Rimmer (Storer 70), Ward, Paver, Smith (Myerscough 62), Nimmo, Morgan (Marriott 66), Burgess (Elloway 72), Maidment. Unused replacements: A Penberthy, Cooper.

Rotherham Titans: Foden, Tellwright, McCall, Nonu (Hodgson 64), Monahan, Law, Williams, Cahill (Hooper 68), Stagg (Baines 40), Hooper (O’Donnell 62), Maddison (Patrick 52), Griffiths, Kirwan (Taulava 52), Dougall (capt), Copeland. Unused replacement: Rhodes.

Referee: Darren Gamage (RFU).