REPORT: Drama as Titans snatch win over Carnegie rivals

AN astonishing three tries in 12 minutes gave Rotherham Titans their second win of the Championship season on a day of high drama against old foes Yorkshire Carnegie.

Nic Rouse's injury-hit side - they only had three fit players on the bench - came from 19-6 behind early in the second half to record a 30-26 triumph and send their fans away happy in the club's final  home game of a tough campaign.

Said Rouse afterwards: "We had been really down in numbers during the week and struggled to get enough boys fit from the game.

"But we wanted to make sure that we finished strongly, something we haven't done in recent weeks, and saved our energy for a big push - and it paid off."

Titans trailed 7-3 at half-time, Caolan Ryan bagging a penalty, after a dour opening 40 minuted and when the Leeds side scored a second try two minutes after the restart it didn't look good.

Lee Millar added a second penalty before Leeds scored their third try to make it 19-6 but then the game exploded into life when Drew Cheshire collected a Will Thomas pass in midfield and after kicking on, raced through the cover to snaffle the ball and score. Ryan's extras made it 19-13.

Six minutes later, with Carnegie in disarray, the ball was swung out wide and Jake Henry scored again in the corner, Ryan putting his side in front for the first time.

And it got even better for Rotherham when Cheshire notched his second try, spotting a hole in the Carnegie cover, with Ryan amazingly making it 27-19.

Millar then added a second long-ranger to externd the gap further although when Oli Fox planted the ball down - although it didn't look to have been grounded properly - it set up a tense finish.

Carnegie had one last push to snatch victory but great defensive work meant the home side held on.

Added Rouse: "It was a great way to finish at home despite all the injury problems. I was so proud of the boys."

Don't forget we'll have a full analysis in the week's Advertiser.

 

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