Five-try Rotherham Titans take derby spoils against Sheffield

Luckas Sableman-Blue carries for Rotherham against Sheffield. Picture by KERRIE BEDDOWS

ROTHERHAM Titans got back to winning form at the expense of city neighbours Sheffield in a try-laden local derby.

Titans scored five tries to the visitors’ four in a 36-26 victory at Clifton Lane, with Lloyd Hayes keeping the scoreboard ticking over with a personal haul of 19 points.

Looking to make up for a run of five defeats from the last six, Titans shaded the first half 19-14 on the back of scores from Corben Ollivent, Hayes and a penalty try as Anthony Posa's visitors finished the half with two men in the sin bin.

Their scrum-half Elliot Fisher, who ended the afternoon with three tries, went over to give Sheffield a surprise lead early in the second half but Titans’ were able to establish a healthy advantage after that.

Callum Bustin crashed over to secure the four-try bonus point and Hayes added a well worked fifth before Sheffield scored off the last play to claim a deserved point.

Rotherham head coach Gary Pearce said: “We scored five tries and could have scored ten if I’m honest. I’m disappointed we weren’t more clinical but it’s a derby game, we’re coming to the end of the season, the grounds are hardening up and everyone wants to play a little bit more.

“We just got a little bit too excited at times. If we’d been a bit more patient we’d have scored a few more.

“I’m still pleased. There were quite a lot of good performances across the park and we have plenty of enthusiasm in the team. It was a win at home with five points and we’ll take that and move on.”

Titans stay sixth in National Two North ahead of the second part of a Sheffield double-header, away to Sheffield Tigers next Saturday (3pm).