Rotherham Titans got their pre-season campaign underway with an impressive 41-10 win over National 2 North side and local rivals Sheffield Tigers.
On a warm and bright afternoon at Dore Moor and in front of a healthy attendance, many of whom wore Titans colours, the game was played out over 3 x 20 minutes periods, as both sides took the opportunity to utilise their squads.
Particularly pleasing for Rotherham was seeing local lads Brandon and Steven Botham and Patrick Shaw make their first starts for the club, having come through Rotherham Phoenix ranks.
Overall Titans would have been more than content with how the game played out, as they outscored Tigers by seven tries to two and no one seemed to mind when former Titans favourite Jamie Broadley scored for Tigers, as he showed good pace to intercept for his dot down.
Titans 7 tries came courtesy of a brace each from scrum half Connor Dever and back rower Seb Nagle-Taylor, whilst fly half/full back Callum Irvine and wingers Dan Leake and Connor Field rounded off matters. Dever added 2 conversions and Brandon Botham ended the scoring with an impressive 2-pointer.
Speaking post-game Titans head coach, Joe Barker explained, “The game went exactly how we wanted it to go and we managed to knock-off some rust. We’ve brought a brand new squad together and it was exciting to see what we did, the boys impressed and they did a lot of good things.
“We saw lots of positives in how the boys played the game, in how they attacked and in even in defence when they were called upon. So overall it was good and we can be pleased with our first run out together.
“However, we now have to go to the next level, because we are taking on a very good Championship side in Nottingham next Friday and we as individuals have to step up to that next level. We know it will be tough at Nottingham, but we are excited about the challenge and we are looking forward to it.”
Referee: Ben Rayner
Titans: Nagle-Taylor (2T), Irvine (T), Leake (T), Field (T), Dever (2T, 2C), B Botham (1C)
1st 20 Minutes:
1 Jack Bergmanas
2 Ali Thompson
3 Rikki Stout
4 Dan Preston-Routledge
5 Justin Allen
6 Luis Ball
7 Tom Cotterill
8 Seb Nagle-Taylor (Capt.)
9 Connor Dever
10 Joe Barker
11 Dan Leake
12 Tom Allott
13 Connor Field
14 Henry Roberts
15 Callum Irvine
2nd 20 Minutes:
1 Dan Richardson
2 Ali Thompson
3 Rikki Stout
4 Dan Preston-Routledge
5 Justin Allen
6 Luis Ball
7 Anton Petrowitsch
8 Seb Nagle-Taylor (Capt.)
9 Alex Dolly
10 Callum Irvine
11 Dan Leake
12 Joe Barker
13 Connor Field
14 Henry Roberts
15 Tom Allott
3rd 20 Minutes:
1 Dan Richardson
2 Jack Bergmanas
3 Rikki Stout (Capt.)
4 Anton Petrowitsch
5 Justin Allen
6 Tom Cotterill
7 Patrick Shaw
8 Luis Ball
9 Josh Nott
10 Tom Allott
11 Steve Botham
12 Dan Leake
13 Brandon Botham
14 Connor Field/Henry Roberts
15 Connor Dever
