Rotherham is where the heart is for Titans history-maker Callum Bustin
CALLUM Bustin has gone into the history books as his club’s all-time leading try scorer – and he is chuffed the achievement has come with Rotherham.
His second-half try in the 54-0 whitewash of Clifton last week was his 52nd in a Titans shirt and eclipsed the record set by previous captain Zak Poole’s last year.
It came in Bustin’s 83 appearance and his 72nd start since signing in at Clifton Lane back in 2021 after playing primarily in Rugby League.
The forward’s ball-carrying skills at no.8 have transferred well to Union, hence the try tally, and Rotherham Rugby Club have helped him along the way.
"This is the longest time I have ever stayed at a club,” the former Bradford Bulls and London Skolars man told the Advertiser.
"I am used to being at a club two years maximum and going off somewhere else but when I turned up here it felt like family and I’ve continued coming.
"It’s a situation where I’m glad it’s at Rotherham where I’ve been able to do this.”
Bustin’s record came in nearly half that it took his former team-mate Poole.
And but for the Covid pandemic and a stint away playing RL with Barrow Raiders, helping them win a promotion, the 28-year-old would probably have got to the 52-mark before this season.
The manner of it, taking a short past to break through and touch down under the sticks, was a pleasing way to set the new mark.
He said: “It took Pooley time to get his final try and he did it in a great way. At least mine wasn’t just a maul try compared to some of the other tries I’ve had. A lot of them were maul tries but they all count in the end.
“This season has been a broken one for me due to injury and the match against Clifton was only my seventh game
"Without injuries I could have maybe got over the 100 appearances mark for Rotherham by now but it is still a good (appearances to tries) record. I’m just happy to be in the record books for Roth.
“Overall, it was a great win for us against Clifton and I think it shows our intent to win that title this season. Clifton had grit and they had a lot to play for lower down the table.
"The record is a great thing for me but realistically the best thing for us was getting that bonus point victory.”
Having Bustin back on board is a boost for team chief Harvey Biljon, especially with two big games against National One promotion rivals Blackheath and Plymouth on the horizon.
"The most important bit about that was that Callum got 80 minutes in. But the achievement is special and let’s hope he keeps the good work going,” added the South African coach.