Rotherham Titans are looking forward to another derby this weekend when they take on North Yorkshire side Harrogate in round 14 of National 2 North; kick-off on Saturday at Rudding Lane is 2pm.
Harrogate has had a challenging season to date, having picked up just two wins from their opening 12 games. However, following a couple of early season heavy defeats, their results suggest they are an improving side and will look to lay down a marker against their county rivals.
Titans come into the game full of confidence as they remain unbeaten after 11 games and on the back of nine consecutive victories; the only blemish on their record this term was a draw away to Sedgley Park in round 2.
Nevertheless, Rotherham know there are no easy games in this division and full respect much be given to each side on the day; anything less is a dangerous approach.
The teams have met on 3 previous occasions, all dating back to the 1990’s. The first contest was in National 4 North In November 1992 which ended in a 6-6 draw at Clifton Lane. The sides met twice more during the 1995/96 National 3 season with Rotherham coming out on top in both fixtures.
Going into the clash on Saturday Titans have made just two changes to the starting XV which beat Huddersfield 26-12 last time out.
In the pack Alastair Donkor comes in at loosehead prop for Charlie Capps; whilst in a reshuffled backline Mat Clark returns at outside centre, as Lloyd Hayes moves to full back and Tom Lewis on to the wing for Connor Field.
Speaking ahead of the game Titans’ Adam Byron said:
“Harrogate away is not an easy fixture; I don’t know what the weather will do again this week, but it can be quite a heavy pitch and they are a similar sort of team to Huddersfield who they had a good game against recently.
“They will offer us the same sort of challenge and ask us the same sort of questions that Huddersfield did; hopefully we can build on our last performance and go there in confident mood as we chase down another win.
“Everyone is strong at this level, this is National 2 rugby and so we know each team we face will give us a test and offer a challenge.
“Every team is a different challenge; so we will have to react accordingly and build on some things we weren’t as happy with against Huddersfield and go into this one a little bit stronger again.”
Titans: 15 Lloyd Hayes, 14 Tom Lewis, 13 Mat Clark, 12 Harry Dunne, 11 Jamie Cooke, 10 Matt Minogue, 9 Sam Boxhall, 1 Alastair Donkor, 2 Harry Newborn, 3 Rikki Stout, 4 Matt Challinor, 5 Matt Smith, 6 Zak Poole (Capt.), 7 Keifer Laxton, 8 Callum Bustin.
Replacements: 16 Jack Bergmanas, 17 Colin Quigley, 18 Charlie Capps, 19 Theo Nwosu-Hope, 20 Jonny West.
