Rotherham Titans wary of surprise factor in Tynedale trip

Titans were ambushed up there last season, losing 25-10, and won’t want a repeat. Tynedale have lost all four games so far but each one has been close.

“It’s always tough against them,” said Rotherham team chief Gary Pearce. “They haven’t had a great start but they do get some loanees in from Newcastle sometimes so you never know what you’re going to face.

“I don’t worry about Tynedale, it’s more about us and if we perform at the right level then we’re hard to handle. It’s a big chance for us to get through the month with five wins hopefully and then we’ll look at October.”

Titans intend to establish a more settled side as a string of bigger matches come into view.They haven’t been afraid to make changes in the opening four games and whoever he has sent out has done the business, rattling off four wins.

After this weekend’s trip to bottom-of-the-table Tynedale, things get a bit harder, at least on paper.

Last year’s runners-up in National Two North, Fylde, come to Clifton Lane on Saturday week and then there’s a tricky trip to Abbeydale to take on Sheffield RUFC before a three-week break.

Titans rested leading points scorer Lloyd Hayes against Huddersfield last weekend as a precaution because he was nursing a sore calf.

Pearce added: “We know what’s coming down the line now because the games are getting a little more serious at the top end.

“We have had a bit of rotation in our squad because we want to give everyone a real opportunity this month. We’ve done that and now we are looking to create a bit more of a settle side for the next few games.”

Kick-off tomorrow is at 3pm.

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