Bristol 32 Rotherham 20: Titans still battling to cause play-off upset

As Rotherham begin preparations for Sunday’s home leg of the Championship promotion semi-final at Abbeydale, they are quietly confident they can overturn the lead of 12 points Bristol established at Ashton Gate.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th May 2015, 07:36 BST
TRY-SCORER: No 8 Ben Morris scored one of Rotherhams two tries to ensure they are still in the contest. Picture: Glen Ashley.TRY-SCORER: No 8 Ben Morris scored one of Rotherhams two tries to ensure they are still in the contest. Picture: Glen Ashley.
TRY-SCORER: No 8 Ben Morris scored one of Rotherhams two tries to ensure they are still in the contest. Picture: Glen Ashley.

No one at Rotherham is under-estimating the size of the challenge they face, not least from the power of the Bristol pack which forced the Titans’ collapse as they conceded 24 points between 63 and 77 minutes, but the Clifton Lane club believe they will be competitive again, especially if they score early in Sheffield.

If Rotherham are to cause an upset on Sunday, the goal-kicking form of fly-half Tom Barrett needs to improve as he missed four penalties in the first leg.

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However, in other aspects, Barrett sparkled as did the entire back line, not least centres Jordan Davies and Lloyd Hayes.

The Titans’ excellent tries by No 8 Ben Morris and winger Jamie Broadley on 19 and 58 minutes, plus a penalty and two conversions by Barrett, provided a 17-8 lead with 20 minutes left.

Rotherham’s enterprising display, fluent handling and robust tackling reduced a Bristol team containing three British Lions in Ryan Jones, Gavin Henson and Dwayne Peel to one that was rather ordinary and hesitant.

But after the hour-mark the contest rapidly changed. Possession and territory swiftly moved into Bristol’s control. The introduction of Welsh fly-half Nicky Robinson and pack replacements instigated Rotherham’s downfall.

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Bristol, who had scored a late first-half try, scored three more on 66, 71 and 77 minutes.

Two came through Charlie Amesbury and the other was a penalty try. A penalty by Barrett cut Bristol’s advantage and Rotherham coach Lee Blackett said: “We are still in the game. We created opportunities and on Sunday we must make sure we take them – we have to put right a few things.”

Bristol: Wallace (Robinson 58), Amesbury, Maule, Henson, Lemi, Morgan, Peel, Traynor, McMillan, Cortes (Perenise 69), Townson(Glynn 60), Sorenson, Jones, Lam, Eadie (Mama 15).

Rotherham Titans: Scanlon, Broadley, Hayes, J Davies, Keating(Wilson 78), Barrett, A Davies (White 67), Hislop(Williams 61), Cruse, Tampin (Thiede 48), Maddison, Robinson (Thomas 40), Rieder, Birch (Preece 62), Morris (Argyle 72).

Referee: M Carley.

Related topics:BristolRotherhamAshton Gate