Rotherham Titans stay joint top of league after hard-fought win

ROTHERHAM Titans maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a hard-earned victory over Luctonians in a good game at Clifton Lane.

Titans ran in five tries to claim a 37-22 win that keeps them joint top of National Two North after seven matches, but they were made to work hard for it.

Rotherham had the better of the first half and led 19-8 at the break with tries for Callum Bustin, Fran Entressengle and Mat Clark. Lloyd Hayes tagged on two conversions and also saw two kicks at goal slap the posts.

Although Bustin went over to secure the four-try bonus point soon after the break and Matti Williams added a fifth, Luctonians scored two converted scores either side to pull the deficit back to 31-22 before two Hayes penalties sealed the deal for the home team.

Titans head coach Steve Salvin said: “We need to put a bit of context on it. In the last two weeks we have beaten Fylde and Hull Ionians and given the players immense credit but today we were playing a team who will probably finish in the bottom half of the table.

“In the first half in particular we were barely at training intensity but in the end we came away with five points.

“We will have to raise it significantly for Stourbridge next week because everything we’ve seen of them suggests they are a very good side.”