Titans are denied by Holland’s late show

ROTHERHAM Titans were within a few minutes of winning their first league game of the campaign in ten attempts.

But in the fifth minute of added time against opponents, who are second from bottom, London Scottish, down to 14 men, scored a thrilling match-winning try, extending their lead to 16 points over the Yorkshire club who are threatened with relegation.

Rotherham, leading by 24-20 in a much-improved performance that had produced two exciting tries by scrum-half Rhodri Davies and a penalty try on 74 minutes, appeared to be heading towards a deserved victory, but deep into injury time, London Scottish won possession and raided the Titans’ line.

Scottish, reduced to 14 players after the sin-binning of replacement full -back Charlie Ingall for foul play on winger Ben Foley as he was about to touch down, defied Rotherham’s defence and found space as winger Craig Holland saw a gap to score the third try that seized the points in such an important game.

Rotherham failed to understand why referee, Matthew O’Grady, had been able to add so many minutes. But coach Andy Key would only say: “We are in control of our destiny, but you also expect things to happen in the middle which are in line with what should happen. We got penalised three times for off-side, yet they were penalised once.

“We haven’t helped ourselves and we have ourselves to blame. Some of our indiscipline gave them opportunities to kick penalties. But I couldn’t have asked more from the boys who showed huge character.”

This win by Scottish, their third, was set up by two tries from hooker Isaac Miller and accurate goal kicking by fly-half Jake Sharp.

While Rotherham were stronger in the first half, Scottish earned more ball and territory in the second, and when under threat, defended solidly.

Coach Dave Morris was understandably both relieved and delighted to watch his team win such a close contest between the Championship’s two weakest clubs.

He said: “I’m happy with the result but we didn’t perform well and you have to say Rotherham deserved to win, but with only 14 men on the pitch we had the confidence and composure to go for the try at the end.

“We were pretty poor dealing with kicks and made soft mistakes which gave away tries.”

Rotherham suffered another serious injury when centre Yiannis Loizias hurt his knee and was taken off by stretcher.