Rotherham Titans (16) vs Cornish Pirates (24) - Championship Play Off Pool B Table

Pre-Match Report

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Match Report

Rotherham showed considerable improvement from last week's hammering in Cornwall but couldn't find a way through a resolute visiting defence at Clifton Lane.Both sides had chances in a keenly contested first-half but penalties from Socino and Cook saw the sides turn around with Pirates leading 12-6.Richard Welding was perhaps the pick of the Rotherham side in the first-half with consistent gains in possession and thoughtful distribution from outside centre. His vocal dressing down of a teammate deemed not to be working hard enough demonstrated the opportunity that Rotherham sniffed to earn a play-off victory but they ultimately paid the price for lack of a cutting edge from short range and punished defensive lapses.Matty James was isolated and stripped of the ball to set up hooker Dave Ward for a thirty-yard run-in and replacement winger Phil Burgess put the game out of reach when he was let in by Jonny Bentley.Rotherham made incisive breaks through Peter Swatkins and Alex Loney but couldn't capitalise against a broken field until Cliffie Hodgson scurried over in stoppage time for his first try of the season.Matt Rhodes converted to cap a solid display on the wing.Rob O'Donnell knocked-on over the try-line to further the frustrations of the home side who now face Doncaster Knights in the final home game of the season next Saturday.Head Coach Andre Bester confirmed his interest in signing Bees forward Adrian Griffiths, formely of Bath, for next season as he plot a course for a fresh assault on the top six.