Fresh hope after Rotherham Titans' late clincher

Fly-half Morgan Bunting's penalty in the sixth minute of stoppage time clinched a vital 20-19 victory against bottom side Canterbury after five straight losses.

Leading 12-7 at half time with the help of tries from full-back Sam Allan and number eight Anthony Maka, Rotherham looked set for a comfortable victory when Maka went over for his second score just after the break.

Canterbury scored two tries to snatch back the lead at a windy Clifton Lane and were pressing in the final stages when Titans won a turnover and launched the assault that forced a penalty and the chance to win the game.

Match winner Bunting said: "I was put in that position by the boys. There was a turnover and Dan Leake made a great break. I got the credit but you can't really look past the lads who grafted in that last quarter."

Celebrations after Anthony Maka's second try. Pictures by STEVE METTAM

The victory lifted Rotherham to within eight points of the safety line ahead of the final game of the year away to Sale FC on Saturday (2pm).

Director of rugby Martin Jenkinson said: "Games turn on the bounce of the ball and seasons turn on small margins and issues. After the run we have just been on, the important thing was to get a win, anyhow.

"We have got that win now, we've crossed that line and now we've got to use it as a spingboard to get us back up that table.

"We have been in a rut, we want to get out of the rut and we're up for the fight."

Much more on the Titans in Friday's Advertiser.