Rotherham Titans 26 Bristol 34: Too little too late as Titans fail to shine in spotlight

The Titans can prove they have learnt from the mistakes that brought about their downfall at Clifton Lane by overcoming Nottingham this Sunday at Meadow Lane where they will need to reproduce the same character and spirit which seriously threatened to ruin Bristol’s control.

Rotherham’s defeat was only the second in the Championship at home, but interestingly for a side with all-round strengths and flair they have still to beat any of their competitors fighting for a top-four place.

Bristol, Leeds and London Welsh have all toppled the Titans, and it must be frustrating for the players and the coaches at Clifton Lane that in two games against the Championship leaders, Rotherham have been competitive enough to score 52 points, but have not won, or even earned a bonus point.

Apart from the first 20 minutes during which Bristol scored three converted tries, Rotherham, appearing live on national television for the first time from Clifton Lane, gave a solid account of themselves to reinforce their reputation.

The next live Rotherham home game is the Yorkshire derby against Leeds Carnegie towards the end of April; by then, both clubs will have hoped to have confirmed a place in the play-offs, but before then Rotherham have challenging games against Nottingham, Plymouth,Bedford and Cornish Pirates.

Indeed, the Titans’ climax to the season is tough with four of their six remaining league games away from home.

Considering they were losing by 21-0, were conceding too many penalties and were struggling to gain any ball, Rotherham’s recovery was almost miraculous.

Two first-half penalties by centre Juan Pablo Socino began the fight-back, but it gathered genuine momentum as the Rotherham pack started at last to win possession and threaten.

Forwards Dan Sanderson, Ben Sowrey, Jack Preece and Alex Rieder were prominent in attack. Just before the interval, Bristol lost control of the ball which was instantly collected by scrum-half Charlie Mulchrone who sprinted nearly 50 metres to score a thrilling try to inject much needed confidence.

Socino’s conversion cut the lead to 21-13, so Rotherham, roared on by a crowd of more than 2,000 were well and truly back and now fully competitive.

This remarkable transformation grew stronger as the second half unfolded. Two penalties on 41 and 45 minutes by Socino slashed Bristol’s lead to only 21-19, and with the momentum in Rotherham’s favour, the possibility of an astonishing win given Bristol’s earlier supremacy gained credibility.

However, just when it appeared that Rotherham had more than weathered the storm, they handed back the initiative to Bristol who pounced ruthlessly.

Full-back Sean Scanlon knocked-on deep in his own 22 and from the ensuing scrum, centre Ben Mosses burst over for his second try and Bristol’s fourth.

The conversion stretched the lead to 28-19 which was then increased to 31-19 after Rotherham were punished again.

In an exciting contest which was a constant reminder as to the quality of the Championship, the Titans’ persistence and panache continued.

Winger Michael Keating counter-attacked from his own half. His break shattered Bristol’s defence and with Socino in support, he passed perfectly to the centre who touched down for a superb score on 72 minutes.

The Argentinean’s accurate conversion from the touchline cut the gap to only 31-26, so Rotherham with time remaining still had the opportunity to claim an improbable victory. However, they were once again responsible for their own demise.

Bristol, whose ball retention was impressive throughout, were awarded another penalty. Fly half Nick Robinson removed any anxiety as his sixth goal stretched the lead to 34-26.

Rotherham’s forceful forwards, though, created one final opportunity, four minutes into injury time. A line-out near Bristol’s line provided the glimpse of a well-deserved bonus point.

Irritatingly, possession was stolen by Bristol who were grateful yet again for Rotherham’s generosity which had earlier set up the win for the Championship’s top side.

“We had talked all week about Bristol’s strength in the first 20 minutes of games, so it was frustrating to concede too many points,” said Rotherham’s coach Lee Blackett.

“You should win your home games when you score more than 20 points against the league leaders, but we were ill-disciplined and the turning point was the knock on from which they scored their fourth try,” added Blackett who is expected announce more re-signings this week.

Rotherham Titans: Scanlon, Broadley (Davies 70), Roberts, Socino, Keating, Murphy, Mulchrone (White 64), Hislop (Gadd 66), Sowrey, Quigley (Stout 80), Thomas-Brown (Holmes 56), Sanderson, Rieder, Preece, To’oala (Birch 45).

Bristol: Wallace, Watkins, Eves, Mosses, Amesbury, Robinson, Baldwin (Tupuna 48), Traynor, Johnstone (Macinally 60), Cortes (Hall 48), Townson (Glynn 71), Soreson, Koster, Rennie, Mama (Skirving 69).

Referee: I Tempest.