Moseley 21 Rotherham Titans 47: Favourites Welsh await but Titans should have little to fear

For the third week running, Rotherham gained a maximum of five points, and on the evidence of their two wins against Moseley, and Ealing Trailfinders, during which they have scored 19 tries, the Titans will be seriously competitive against London Welsh – the favourites to win the Championship – at Clifton Lane.

Considering the quality of this Saturday’s opposition, Rotherham’s preparations were helped because they needed to fight hard to survive and overcome a Moseley revival.

Tries by scrum-half Charlie Mulchrone, lock Dan Sanderson and a thrilling score by centre Jack Roberts gave them a 31-9 lead, but within only two minutes, this comfort was ruined as the Moseley pack won possession and territory with renewed vigour.

The contest came alive. The former Doncaster hooker Rhys Buckley barged his way over twice on 50 and 52 minutes, to put Rotherham under severe pressure, particularly when they were then reduced to 14 men after a yellow card against Sanderson on 55 minutes.

However, they remained calm and, with Moseley continuing to concede penalties and ignoring their potential match-winner, in winger Matt Williams, they were allowed to escape.

Two more penalties from centre Juan Pablo Socino on 63 and 72 minutes, taking his tally to 22 points, restored Rotherham’s control. Now leading 37-21, the next target was to earn a bonus point. Replacement scrum-half Dan White took a quick penalty, winger Curtis Wilson made an exciting break and then fed James Broadley, who dashed 25 metres to score his third try of the season.

Rotherham’s power and ability to create opportunities embarrassed Moseley further deep into injury time when flanker Ali Birch stole the ball and then raced 45 minutes to score the fifth try to confirm a third consecutive victory.

“London Welsh are the promotion favourites,” said Titans’ coach Lee Blackett. “It will be a massive test for us and we will know a lot more about ourselves at the end.

“But we’ve made a good start to the season, we took our chances against Moseley and, again I think our bench made a big difference.”

Moseley: Hunt, Armstrong, King, Carter, Williams, Thomas, Brown (Day 56), Voisey, Buckley, Evans (Parkins 70), Woolford, Hill, Lawrence, Robinson, Mason.

Rotherham Titans: Keating, Broadley, Roberts, Socino, Wilson, Murphy, Mulchrone (White 73), Gadd, Cruse (Sowery 51), Quigley (Tampin 76), Thomas (Maddison 51), Sanderson, Rieder, Preece (Birch 51), To’oala (Pearce 40).

Referee: G McDonald (RFU).

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