Rotherham Titans 18 Leeds Carnegie 21: Yorkshire duo are faced with rebuilding process

Leeds, who deserved to earn a narrow win, set up by a strong first-half performance producing tries by forwards Ryan Burrows and Andy Titterrell, had given themselves the slightest of chances of reaching the semi-finals of the promotion play-offs.

But yesterday’s Cornish Pirates win over leaders Bedford means Leeds – who face the Pirates at Headingley Carnegie on Saturday – will be competing in the Championship again next season.

Like Rotherham, who have also failed to perform strongly enough in the play-offs, Leeds have won only once in five games, and with a record to date of two defeats, two draws and one success, Bedford and Cornish Pirates have gone through to the semi-finals at their expense.

This disappointment is also shared with Rotherham, who once again have seldom come close to achieving their potential in the play-offs.

As with Leeds, the club’s recruitment of new players for next season is proceeding at pace.

Coach Andre Bester, who made the surprising decision to leave out his leading try-scorer, flanker Robin Copeland, from the starting line-up against Leeds, is genuinely optimistic about the quality he is attracting to Clifton Lane.

However, Bester must be concerned that the performances of his squad, especially at home recently, have not matched his requirements.

With successive defeats by Cornish Pirates, London Scottish, Bedford, Pirates again and now Leeds, Clifton Lane would appear to be no longer a place to fear.

Therefore, one of Bester’s priorities, which he will address with his customary vigour, is to ensure that next season Rotherham are totally competitive at home and, crucially, take their scoring opportunities which they failed to exploit in this derby.

He faces a substantial rebuilding of his squad because of several departures, who include No 8 Semisi Taulava, the scorer of Rotherham’s first try against Leeds.

His effort, converted excellently by fly-half Stephen Hamilton, cut the Leeds advantage to 18-13 with more than 20 minutes of the game to go.

After a first half in which Rotherham’s mistakes in defence and in Leeds territory enabled their opponents to lead 18-6, the Titans improved considerably.

The forwards inspired a decent recovery, but it could not be turned into a much-needed win because Leeds tackled effectively, and Rotherham’s further progress was also limited as they carelessly threw away decent opportunities.

For example, on 80 minutes, with Leeds in front by only five points, Rotherham had forged a promising position deep in Leeds territory.

However, a loss of concentration ruined the likelihood of scoring a try; the Titans lost their own line-out ball, Leeds were reprieved and, three minutes later, a penalty by replacement fly-half Tommy Bell guaranteed that his side would gain revenge for Rotherham’s away win at Leeds last month.

Rotherham, now lagging behind 21-13, were nevertheless still determined to gain a losing bonus point. The pack, in which Taulava delivered the most powerful of performances on his last appearance at Clifton Lane, again advanced dangerously towards the Leeds posts.

In the fourth minute of stoppage time, winger Shane Monahan, who should have been given much more of the ball throughout the Championship season, dashed over for the Titans’ second try, a score which Rotherham deserved considering the pressure they had created since the break.

Suffering another defeat in their last match this season at Clifton Lane was a deflating note on which to end, but Taulava, who is joining Worcester Warriors along with prop Rob O’Donnell, remains confident of Rotherham’s future: “The club will be back because Andre will bring in strong players. We are disappointed not to reach the semi-finals. It’s down to experience.

“Pirates, for example, have been together for a long time and know how to close games down.”

It means Saturday’s game against the Cornish team gives Leeds a chance to restore some much-needed pride.

“We are focused about putting on a positive performance against Pirates,” explained coach Diccon Edwards.

“We showed the right attitude against Rotherham and I couldn’t be more pleased. I am also happy with the ability of the players we are bringing in for next season.

“Players are happy to come to Leeds because they see what we are trying to build.”

Rotherham Titans: McCall, Homan, Monahan, Nonu, Tellwright (Byron 55), Hamilton, Williams, Cahill (Kilbane 27), Baines, Hooper, Patrick (Copeland 62), Maddison, Kirwan, Dougall, Taulava.

Leeds Carnegie: McColl, Stephenson, Thornley, Barrow (Davies 62), Lucock, Ford (Bell 69), Cliff, McDonald, Titterrell, Aulika (Mustafa 47), Pendlebury (Walker 47), Hohneck, Beck, Rowan, Burrows (Williamson 62).

Referee: S Lee.