Titans bow to Pirates' power

COACH Justin Burnell bemoaned more "silly errors" as Titans crashed to a 34-5 defeat at Cornish Pirates - a result which leaves the Clifton Lane men hovering just one point above bottom spot in the Championship.

Richmond's victory over Nottingham 24 hours earlier meant Rotherham needed a good result at the Mennaye Field to keep the Londoners - and the wooden spoon - at arm's length.

But despite a spirited performance, much better than the previous two outings, Burnell could only watch on as Pirates scored four tries to win in a canter, all from drives to the line.

"We were much better but it was down to those silly mistakes again," he said. "We got into good positions but were our own worst enemies."

Titans, with Will Goodwin back at full-back, Lewis Ludlam and Tom Collins returning from Northampton and London Irish youngster Connor Murphy making his debut at scrum-half, were more combative than the final score suggests and deserved more than the one try which came when Tom Calladine finished off a drive after 24 minutes. That reduced Pirates' early advantage, Tom Duncan having scored the game's first try after ten minutes, converted by Laurence May.

But the Cornishmen added a second through hooker Tom Channon and a third from John Stevens in first half added time provided a crucial blow, Titans turning round 24-5 adrift.

Defences were on top in the second period, May kicking a penalty and the hosts wrapping up a good afternoon when Stevens scored again late on with Will Cargill adding the extras.

Don't forget you can catch all the analysis in Friday's Advertiser ahead of next week's clash with Ealing at Clifton Lane.