Titans Snatch Dramatic Late Victory at Nottingham

Rotherham Titans produced a dramatic late comeback to snatch a memorable 28-24 victory over Nottingham in a pulsating Elior Champ Rugby encounter under the Friday night lights at Lady Bay.

In a game that ebbed and flowed throughout, Titans outscored the hosts by four tries to three, but they were made to work extremely hard for their victory by an impressive Nottingham side who demonstrated some outstanding defensive qualities and a clinical edge in attack.

With the game heading into injury time, it was hooker Morgan Veness who proved to be the match-winner, powering over from a dominant driving lineout to complete a remarkable turnaround and send the travelling Rotherham supporters home celebrating.

Rotherham made the brighter start and were rewarded after 24 minutes when Veness finished off a well-worked catch-and-drive, touching down from the back of the maul to give the visitors a deserved lead.

However, having dominated the opening exchanges, Titans were unable to maintain their momentum as Nottingham gradually worked their way into the contest.

A Shane O’Leary penalty just after the half-hour mark reduced the deficit before the hosts took the lead when skipper Jay Ecclesfield crossed for their opening try.

The Archers then struck again on the stroke of half-time when full-back Evan Mitchell made an excellent break downfield before feeding back-rower Michael Green, who showed impressive pace and determination to finish next to the posts.

It looked a damaging blow for Rotherham, but there was still time for the visitors to respond. With the final play of the half, loose-head prop Zac Nearchou crashed over following a lineout close to the Nottingham line, ensuring Titans went into the break with the deficit reduced.

The second half could hardly have started worse for Rotherham as Nottingham extended their advantage just minutes after the restart. A smart counter-attacking move saw number eight Jacob Wright finish off to stretch the hosts’ lead to ten points.

With plenty at stake, both sides threw everything into the next half-hour, but the defences increasingly took control.

Nottingham in particular produced some excellent defensive work to frustrate the visitors, and as the clock ticked down with no further scores, it appeared the hosts had done enough to secure the victory.

However, Titans refused to give up and gave themselves renewed hope with just six minutes remaining.

Replacement scrum-half JB Bruzulier collected the ball from the base of a scrum, spotted an opportunity down the blindside and powered his way over to bring Rotherham back into contention.

The stage was now set for a dramatic finale and, as the game entered injury time, Titans launched one final assault on the Nottingham line.

Working their way deep into the home side’s 22, Rotherham won a lineout and once again turned to their powerful driving game. The pack made steady progress towards the line before Veness emerged at the back of the advancing maul to power over for his second try of the evening and send the visitors into the lead.

There were still a few minutes of injury time remaining, but Rotherham showed great composure and determination to negotiate the closing exchanges, keeping possession and defending resolutely to ensure Nottingham had no opportunity to mount a final response.

It was a thoroughly deserved reward for a never-say-die performance from Titans, who demonstrated tremendous character to fight back from ten points down and secure another memorable Champ Rugby victory.