REPORT: Titans suffer losing start against Nottingham

Despite twice leading in the first half, Andy Key’s men shipped six tries and 41 unanswered points to lose 46-10.

Basic errors contributed to the downfall, with the Titans gifting the visitors two tries, although the sweet move that saw wing Drew Cheshire go in for their only touchdown in the first half offered a glimpse of what Key’s team can do with ball in hand.

That score, added to Lee Millar’s conversion and an earlier penalty, had Rotherham 10-5 up after 22 minutes, the visitors’ responding with a try by prop Ben Brownlie.

Stronger and slicker, Nottingham opened up daylight after that with the help of  and two soft tries either side of half time from Chris Eden and skipper Ben Morris.

Brownlie’s second of the day secured them the bonus point and the game was as good as over when ex Rotherham man Sean Scanlon went over for their fifth on 65 minutes. Replacement Jacob Farnworth darted in unopposed for the final try, with Eden kicking 16 points in total.

The new-look Titans have plenty to work on and a quick turn-around before next Saturday’s short trip to old foes Doncaster, a fact acknowledged by skipper Tom Calladine.

He said: “It was a long, long pre-season, 13 weeks, building up to the game. You have so many expectations and I thought for the first 20 minutes we showed what we’re about. We started well, won a penalty, got hold of the ball and then all of a sudden we lost control. We have to put this behind us now and build for next weekend."

Titans: Thomas; Loizias (Henry 66)), Peters, Barker, Cheshire; Millar, Davies (Vieira 70); Williams (Tom Williams 66) Cole (Maddison 59), Shields (Foster 59); Louw (Lasis 30), Hodge; Grange (Burns 70), Calladine, Boladou.

Referee: Michael Hudson