Titans take derby spoils with Evans off to a flier
ROTHERHAM won the second South Yorkshire derby of the season in convincing style thanks to a match-winning display from 20-year-old fly-half Lloyd Evans on his home debut.
Evans, one of five Gloucester players who have recently been signed on dual contracts, notched 24-points through a try, two conversions and five penalties as the Titans gained revenge for their Championship defeat to rivals at Doncaster last month.
“I’m happy personally, but this was a good team performance - our defence was massive throughout the game,” said Evans, who signed for the Gloucester academy three years ago.
“I was nervous beforehand because although I came on for 10 minutes in the Championship at Bedford last week, this was my first game at Rotherham.
“The team helped me pull through and I’ve settled in really well here.The squad and the coaches have been exceptional. I’ve found the Championship and now the B&I Cup to be tough and very physical.
“I am not sure how long I’ll be at Rotherham. That’s up to Gloucester, but they have a nice club here.”
Rotherham, leading 18-10 at the interval following intelligent tries from lock Toby Salmon and winger Jake Henry, overcame a Doncaster revival that put them behind by only 21-17 after Dougie Flockhart converted a try by the former Titans centre, Lloyd Hayes, on 50 minutes.
But Doncaster’s indiscipline, which resulted in a yellow card for hooker Ben Hunter on 70 minutes, proved to be expensive.
In his absence, the Knights floundered and set up ten match winning points for Rotherham.
Evans struck his fifth penalty with ten minutes to
go, and with Doncaster failing to cope with Titans’ forward pressure deep in their 22, Rotherham’s pack created possession for Evans who sold a dummy to touch down under the posts.
And with the young general converting his own try, a home win was confirmed - much needed by Rotherham who had lost their last two games at Clifton Lane.
While Doncaster scored two decent tries through centre George Catchpole, dual registered with Leicester, and then Hayes, they were well below their best, conceding too many penalties and were seldom in a position to put Titans under severe pressure.