Porter steals the show as Titans prove fighting spirit

IN-FORM Ealing achieved their sixth league win, but any thoughts of a crushing victory against the bottom club quickly vanished as Rotherham fought like tigers during a much improved performance at Clifton Lane.

The hiring of the former French defence coach, Dave Ellis, who worked at three World Cups, has transformed the Titans’ tackling and helped earn a vital losing bonus point.

Titans restricted second-placed Ealing to three first half tries to forwards Harry Casson and Mark Bright, and just before the interval from winger Will Harries.

Indeed, so effective was Rotherham’s defence that Ealing’s second half points came only from the goal-kicking of replacement fly-half Peter Lydon who struck two penalties.

The outstanding individual performance was produced by Titans’ scrum-half Will Porter, scorer of two excellent tries on 14 and 59 minutes, as Rotherham’s fighting team effort frightened Ealing whose lead was cut to only 20-18.

Porter, 18, is on loan from Wasps and took his scoring opportunities intelligently as he positioned himself well following breaks by wing Drew Cheshire in the first half and centre Yiannis Loizias in the second.

Porter, who joined Rotherham three weeks ago to boost a team that has still to win a Championship match, said: “These were my first tries for the club and I’m thrilled. We showed a lot of heart and you can’t fault our work rate.

“Hopefully, we can now build on this because we’ve put on a performance against a pretty decent team. Since I’ve been here, I’ve noticed a far better standard in training and in games and the spirit in the squad is really good.”

Ealing’s pace and handling were often impressive, but they turned the ball over too many times against the bottom side who, on this evidence, are at long last showing qualities that might avoid relegation.

Ealing’s coach, Alex Codling, previously in charge at Clifton Lane, was relieved to leave with four points: “It was tough as I expected. We didn’t reach the levels we are capable of. We made too many errors and Rotherham made it difficult and they deserved a point.

“I thought the man of the match was Will Porter, who was outstanding. I like his never-say-die-attitude.”