Worcester Warriors 32 Rotherham Titans 25: Titans go so close to upset

ROTHERHAM produced a splendid fighting performance at Sixways and came close to beating the wealthy promotion favourites whose side contained five internationals and 13 players with Premiership experience.

Rotherham's ferocious forwards outscored Worcester by three tries to two, and the Titans led by 22-19 and 25-22. Flanker Dan Baines, prop Rob O'Donnell and replacement lock Louis McGowan were the try scorers.

Rotherham were frustrated that they had earned only a losing bonus point whereas Worcester, whose budget is understood to be 3m, admitted they had been fortunate to win.

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Worcester were turned into an ordinary side whose victory can be attributed to Rotherham's fault of conceding too many penalties. Former England and Leicester fly-half Andy Goode was presented with four goals and, in the second half, his replacement, Joe Carlisle, put over two more.

Rotherham's Argentinean, Juan Pablo Socino, missed penalties on two and 14 minutes and the conversion of Baines's try in the 22nd.

Baines's score cut Worcester's lead to 10-8, O'Donnell's try reduced the deficit to 16-13 and when McGowan barged over on 53 minutes Rotherham were 20-19 ahead.

Chances of a shock victory disappeared late in the second half as Worcester scored a converted try and a sixth penalty.

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Worcester Warriors: Arscott, Garvey, Rasmussen(Crockett 54), Higgitt, Benjamin, Goode (Carlisle 58), Williams(Arr 66),C Black (A Black 40), Lutui (Shervington 19), Douglas, Bowley (Rawlinson 40), Kitchener, Best, Collins(Abbott 54), Horstmann.

Rotherham Titans: Welding, Swatkins, Hepworth, Socino, Rhodes, Bedford, Steencamp (A O'Donnell 59), Loney, R O'Donnell(Spence 66), Harris (McGowan 48), Dickinson, Burrows, Baines, Kettle (Quigley 48).

Referee: A Taylorson.

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