Rotherham Titans returned to winning ways with an impressive 36-26 win over local rivals Sheffield on a cold afternoon at Clifton Lane.
Titans outscored the Abbeydale outfit by 5 tries to 4, with Corben Ollivent, Callum Bustin and a penalty try, with Lloyd Hayes grabbing a brace and also adding 11 points from the tee.
The win completes the double over Sheffield for this season, as Titans won 39-14 at Abbeydale Park back in early November.
This one however was a closer, more even affair, although Titans thoroughly deserved their bonus-point victory.
Indeed Rotherham started the game much the brighter and raced into a 12-0 lead inside the first 20 minutes following tries from Corben Ollivent and Lloyd Hayes, with the latter converting his own try.
Sheffield however demonstrated plenty of grit and determination as you would expect in a South Yorkshire derby and a quick-fire brace of tries from scrum half Elliot Fisher and winger Christian Hooper just after the half hour mark, put them ahead 14-12.
Nevertheless, Rotherham maintained their composure despite the shock of conceding two quick scores and they continued to edge matters, whilst Sheffield always looked dangerous with the ball in hand, as they looked to counter whenever the opportunity arose.
Just before half time Roth were awarded a penalty try as Sheffield skipper Alex Fawdry was yellow carded for illegally preventing a Titans try in the corner.
After the break and despite Rotherham enjoying the better moments it was Sheffield who scored next through the lively Elliot Fisher, after he supported a break to run in under the sticks. Fisher then converted to put his side back ahead. This was the fourth time the lead had changed hands.
Ten minutes later, the lead changed again for the final time when Titans Callum Bustin powered and bulldozed his way over following a good period of possession from the pack. Lloyd Hayes’ conversion put Roth 26-21 to the good.
Six minutes from time Titans eased their nerves somewhat when Lloyd Hayes knocked over a penalty to stretch the lead to 8 points.
And when a minute later Hayes also crossed for a converted try in “Plants Corner” the game was effectively wrapped up.
Fair play to Sheffield however, as in the final play of the game Fisher crossed the whitewash to secure both his hat trick and a losing bonus point for his side.
Rotherham will have been delighted with the win, especially with it being a South Yorkshire derby and they will now prepare hard for another South Yorkshire derby against Sheffield Tigers next Saturday at Dore More; KO 3pm.
Speaking after the game Titans head coach, Gary Pearce said:
“We scored five tries and could have scored ten if I’m honest. I’m disappointed we weren’t more clinical but it’s a derby game, we’re coming to the end of the season, the grounds are hardening up and everyone wants to play a little bit more.
“We just got a little bit too excited at times. If we’d been a bit more patient we’d have scored a few more.
“I’m still pleased. There were quite a lot of good performances across the park and we have plenty of enthusiasm in the team. It was a win at home with five points and we’ll take that and move on.”
Referee: George Ounsley
Attendance: 250
Yellow Card: Poole (Titans)
Titans: Ollivent (T), Bustin (T), Penalty try, Hayes (2T, 3C, P)
Sheffield: Hooper (T), Fisher (3T, 3C)
Titans: 15 Lloyd Hayes, 14 Corben Ollivent, 13 Tomasi Tanumi, 28 Callum Bustin (Payne 74), 11 Luckas Sableman-Blue, 10 Joe Carlisle, 9 Connor Dever (Boxhall 68), 1 Charlie Capps, 2 Jack Bergmanas (Richardson 79), 3 Danny Rylance (Donkor 65), 4 Matt Challinor, 5 Theo Nwosu-Hope, 6 Marcus Payne (Allan 55), 7 Rupert Kay (Dunne 31), 8 Zak Poole (Capt.).
Replacements: 16 Tom Richardson, 17 Alastair Donkor, 18 Lewis Allan, 19 Harry Dunne, 21 Sam Boxhall.
Sheffield: 15 Alfie Kimpton, 14 Ieuan Cooke (Crapper 38) (Cooke 49) (Hignell 59) (Taylor 75), 13 Will Taylor (Douglas 72), 12 Will Smith, 16 Christian Hooper, 10 Callum Posa, 9 Elliot Fisher, 1 Ben Whitney, 18 Jude Noble, 3 George Rogers (Hicklin 20), 4 Dave Clayden (Crapper 59), 5 Dom Parsons, 6 Alex Fawdry (Capt.), 7 Matt Adcock, 8 Ryan Burrows.
Replacements: 22 Jake Hicklin, 24 Will Booth, 21 Archie Crapper, 20 Jason Hignell, 17 Kaj Douglas.
Photo Credit: Rotherham Advertiser