London Welsh 25 Rotherham Titans 33: Rotherham pile on agony for Welsh by shocking table-toppers

In an outstanding performance by their pack, Rotherham, trailing 13-9 at half-time, fought back splendidly and powerfully to score four second-half tries, two by flanker Robin Copeland and one each for wing Tom Foden, his first for the club, and centre Palepoi Nonu.

The Titans’ fourth win in seven league games was totally unexpected considering the dominant form London Welsh had demonstrated this season so far, but Rotherham’s game plan which contained their opponents worked almost to perfection.

What was particularly satisfying following a relentless, collective effort was to leave Old Deer Park, where Rotherham had not won since March 2008, with a maximum of five points.

Interestingly, this victory by four tries to three could have been by a higher margin.

Rotherham knocked-on several times, they threw away two decent try-scoring opportunities in the first half and, for the first time this season, fly-half Garry Law, failed to meet his own high standards, missing three kickable penalties and two conversions.

Nevertheless, the Scotsman struck two conversions and three penalties during a team display in which Rotherham’s forwards excelled.

Setting up tries on 43, 51, 72 and 80 minutes, the pack dictated possession and territory. Another match-winning feature that stood out was the vigorous work-rate of the back row of Semisi Taulava, Copeland and Sean Dougall.

An indication that Rotherham, who remarkably led 33-18 going into injury time, would go on to control the second half came just after the resumption. As full-back Steve Hamilton counter attacked, he passed to winger Foden who initially was 40 metres from the Welsh line and in an unpromising midfield position.

Showing vision and pace, Foden’s speed cut through the Welsh defence to score a thrilling try, just reward for a player who has only recently made the starting line-up after his summer move from Birmingham.

“I’ve had to work hard for my place. The training is extremely hard. I’m enjoying it here. We have a great spirit in the side and believe in each other,” said Foden, brother of England full-back Ben. “We’ve been written off by a lot of teams but we do our home work. Our game at Moseley on Saturday is another big challenge and their league position doesn’t really stand for anything. You play the team in front of you.”

Winger Ed Tellwright, a former student at the University of Wales Institute in Cardiff, who is on trial at Rotherham, made an encouraging Championship debut.

London Welsh: Thrower, Hurrell (Tonga’uiha 46 ), Mackey, Jewell, Smith, Ross (Davies 56), Stevenson (Lewis 57), Pittman (Moss 58), George ( Ma’asi 65), Bateman, Brown, Corker (Johnson 67), Mills, Hills, Jackson.

Rotherham Titans: Hamilton, Foden, Monahan, Palepoi, Tellwright, Law, Williams, Cahill (Kilbane 56), Stagg (Baines 58), Hooper (O’Donnell 56), Patrick (Dickinson 61), Griffiths (Maddison 78), Copeland, Dougall, Taulava.

Referee: A Taylorson.