Rotherham hopes again scuppered by the Pirates

Seldom able to assert any authority against Cornish Pirates at Clifton Lane and handing over the ball far too frequently, Rotherham lost on consecutive weekends to the same opponents, who should now go on to contest the semi-finals along with Bedford from Pool B.

The Titans have two games remaining against Leeds Carnegie and Bedford to demonstrate what might have been if they had played to their potential in the play-offs, especially at home where they have been beaten twice.

It is highly unlikely that the club’s leading points scorer and indeed the Championship’s, fly-half Garry Law, will appear again this season.

Arguably, one of the reasons why Rotherham were defeated by Pirates was the absence of Law, who injured his ribs after only 25 minutes.

So, Rotherham were contesting a must-win game without a major player, who has scored more than 250 points during the Championship campaign.

The long-term future of the Scottish fly-half will become clear shortly; Law has been offered a new contract for next season by Rotherham but has still to announce whether he will be staying.

What is clear, although Rotherham are not in a position yet to declare the names of those who have agreed to join next season, is that the recruitment of new players by coach Andre Bester is proceeding satisfactorily.

It is understood that 15 have been signed so far with the emphasis on players qualified for England.

Under new regulations, Championship clubs must have 15 members of their match-day squad of 22 eligible to play for England and seven only who are not.

Bester is not prepared yet to talk openly about his new players, but is characteristically optimistic about the club’s future.

He has told Rotherham’s senior officials that, in his opinion, the Titans will be 25 per cent better next season.

They need to be because if Rotherham are to compete in the promotion play-offs again, they must finish in the top four at the end of the first part of the 2012-13 season. Based on what has happened this season, a significant improvement is required if that goal is to be attained.

One of the few highlights against Pirates came on 45 minutes when Irish flanker Robin Copeland, Rotherham’s outstanding player this season, was driven over for his 13th try. With Cliffie Hodgson, Law’s replacement, converting, Pirates’ lead was cut to 14-7.

As in the first half, Rotherham continued to miss scoring opportunities. Favourable attacking positions were thrown away near the opposition line such as on 54 minutes and then 10 minutes later.

Indeed, Bester, who had watched his team give away too much ball, argued that the turning point came in the 64th minute.

“We were 14-7 down and had a line-out eight metres from their line. We drove them back and while we were going to the line, the referee awarded us a penalty.

“He should have played advantage because we were about to score and level the game with 20 minutes left. With the wind behind us, it was game on.”

Instead, Pirates increased their control because only two minutes later Rotherham were penalised again, giving full-back Rob Cook another opportunity to show off his accuracy as a goal-kicker.

His fourth penalty stretched the lead to 17-7. Rotherham’s forwards, chasing the game, continued to advance, but twice late in the second half turned the ball over deep in the Pirates’ 22.

However, in the fifth minute of stoppage time, the pack at long last kept hold of the ball in Pirates’ territory and, importantly, seized the chance to score.

Replacement forward Adrian Griffiths took advantage of space in the Cornish defence and touched down between the posts.

Hodgson converted by dropping a goal to save time. In fact, it had run out for Rotherham, rather like fuel in nearby petrol stations.

“Mathematically, it is against us to get into the semi-finals.” That was the honest view of captain and flanker Sean Dougall, who is leaving to join Munster.

“Pirates were very clinical and made a mess of our rucks. But we don’t want to be remembered for this kind of performance.

“We want to go out on a high by smashing Leeds and Bedford in the last two games.”

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Rotherham Titans: Foden, Homan, McCall, Nonu, Monahan, Law (Hodgson 25), Williams, Cahill (Kilbane 64),Baines, Hooper (Vaioleti 64), Patrick (Griffiths 52), Maddison (Kirwan 72), Copeland, Dougall, Taulava.

Cornish Pirates: Cook, Pointer, Hill, Suniula (Cooper 78), Evans, Thomas, Cattle (Kessell 78), Rimmer (Storer 77), Ward, Paver (Brits 72), McGlone (Smith 57), Myerscough, Morgan, Burgess (Elloway 68), Marriott (Maidment 63).

Referee: T Wigglesworth.