Titans time their run to perfection and finish with the lion’s share
Following Rotherham’s late run to secure the National Two North title, Ben Jaycock canvassed the views of our reporters to select The Rugby Paper’s Team of the Season
ROTHERHAM Titans pipped Leeds Tykes in an enthralling title race that went all the way down to the final round of the season, and the league champions have been rewarded with a third of the spots in The Rugby Paper’s Dream Team. Gareth Lewis’ phenomenal side won 25 of their 26 outings as centres Lloyd Hayes, Tomasi Tanumi, prop Charlie Capps, hooker Jack Bergamanas and lock John Okafor proved the key men.
Leeds led the standings throughout the campaign going unbeaten until their crucial round 23 defeat to Rotherham, which was followed by a pivotal loss to Fylde which cost Pete Seabourne’s side the title.
Nevertheless, an outstanding campaign saw the Tykes handed three inclusions in full-back Kieran Davies, prop William Dennis and second row Jake Brady, while Sheffield secured their highest ever finish in the National Leagues and were also represented with three selections – winger Christian Hooper, scrum-half Elliot Fisher and No.8 Ryan Burrows.
Meanwhile, ninth-place Otley have two players included – winger Sam Taylor and flanker Ben Waddington, fifth-spot Fylde have a solitary inclusion with flanker Valu Tane Bentley making the cut, as do newly promoted Lymm, who comfortably survived the threat of relegation, finishing 10th, guided by their standout fly-half Tom Shard.
Players from Wharfedale, Tynedale, Sheffield Tigers, Hull, Preston Grasshoppers, Billingham, Hull Ionians and Huddersfield all missed out.
Only Sheffield flyer Hooper makes this year’s Dream Team for a second successive year.
15. Kieran Davies (Leeds Tykes)
A great ball player, runner and kicker, Davies enjoyed a fine campaign in the 15 jersey. The south Welshmen controlled contests brilliantly, got Leeds on the front foot constantly, pushing the side in attack, while also being an excellent kicker out of hand and his 14 tries in 15 outings is a sensational return. Hull’s Reece Dean proved prolific with the boot and switched between 15 and 10 efficiently.
14. Christian Hooper (Sheffield)
Hooper is a dangerous operator in a sparkling back line, ending the season with 21 tries in 25 outings, while operating on the wing or at full-back. He reflected the expansive approach the club have adopted so successfully this term under head coach Anthony Posa. Preston Grasshoppers’ Jack Lightowler enjoyed an excellent debut season with his mazy runs and try scoring.
13. Lloyd Hayes (Rotherham Titans)
Hayes picked up 100 per cent of the votes for the 13 jersey, such was his straightforward inclusion. The top National League points scorer with a whopping 327, Hayes is deemed by most as the best player in the division and will be exciting to watch in next season’s National One. He was practically faultless off the tee, linking up with his wingers every time with selfless attacking play.
12. Tomasi Tanumi (Rotherham Titans)
A powerful and slippery inside centre, former Worcester Warrior Tanumi is hard to pin down and enjoyed a superb campaign with the champions. The England U18s and Fiji U20s graduate was almost an ever present this season, appearing 24 times and scoring four tries as he starred on the wing as well as through the middle. Leeds 12 Tom Williams was solid all year with great skills and boot.
11. Sam Taylor (Otley)
A straightforward inclusion for the league’s top try scorer who dotted down for 24 scores in 25 appearances for an Otley side that largely underachieved this season, which makes Taylor’s contributions even more impressive. Taylor scored a hat-trick three times this season; against Hull Ionians, Sheffield and Preston. Leeds’ Harry Jukes scored 15 tries which is testament to his finishing.
10. Tom Shard (Lymm)
Shard was excellent from the kicking tee and dictated several of Lymm’s attacks with some brilliant offloads, kicks and runs. In Shard’s 24 appearances he scored 222 points from four tries, 47 conversions, 34 penalties and even two drop goals, including a dramatic last minute winner against Fylde back in October. Fylde’s Greg Smith scored over 200 points and is one of the most complete 10s in the division.
9. Elliot Fisher (Sheffield)
A standout contribution to Sheffield’s most successful season, scoring the league’s second highest number of tries (21) and 272 points in total, proving his importance to the south Yorkshire side. He scored a club record six tries for Sheffield as they demolished Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield 71-19 back in November. Leeds’ Will Hardwick impressed with his endurance and ability to find the right pass.
1. Charlie Capps (Rotherham Titans)
Former Glasgow prop Capps proved an excellent scrummager, immovable at the breakdown and extremely tough to stop when he got going. Capps, who is over 19 stone, has bounced around clubs with spells at Leicester and Glasgow, as well as Stade Nicois but has found his feet at the champions. Toby Williams made a towering contribution for Leeds, still impressing at 38.
2. Jack Bergmanas (Rotherham Titans)
Bergmanas stamped his name on the No.2 shirt in a solid Titans set-piece with accurate arrows and great all round play in the loose. The ever present finished the campaign with five tries
in 26 outings, including a crucial try on the final day win against Billingham which sealed the title and promotion. An honourable mention goes to Fylde skipper Ben Gregory, notching up 21 tries in his final season at the club.
3. William Dennis (Leeds Tykes)
Great in the loose for a strong Tykes pack, who dominated at scrum time. Known as a master of the dark arts in the front row, Dennis was the standout tighthead in the division despite missing the opening two months of the campaign through injury. Elsewhere in the No.3 jersey across the league, Wharfedale’s Jake Armstrong was powerful in the set piece and is a great ball carrier.
4. John Okafor (Rotherham Titans)
The perfect combination of pace and power, Okafor just keeps getting better every season as he dovetails beautifully between second row and blindside. A true champion shown by his remarkable 14 tries and the fact he dominated the voting for the lock positions. Dominic Parsons led by example and was the bedrock of Sheffield’s achievements.
5. Jake Brady (Leeds Tykes)
Brady is an experienced leader, having been Tykes captain for the past five seasons, and is a wonderful, consistent operator in the lineout. The towering lock balances his playing commitments with his duties as club general manager as well. Otley’s Adam Malthouse put in multiple captain performances in
tricky conditions.
6. Ben Waddington (Otley)
Otley’s standout blindside is getting admirable glances from elsewhere following a stellar campaign this season. Across 22 appearances, Waddington crossed the whitewash eight times and is a key component for Otley with his big hits and barnstorming carries. Lucas Walsh’s carrying, rucking and tackling was a key part of Leeds’ title bid.
7. Valu Tane Bentley (Fylde)
Mr Consistent in Fylde’s back row, Bentley is small in stature for a back rower but he makes up for that with his brilliant attitude and ferocity both sides of the ball. As soon as his side are within 15m of the try line, Bentley has the strength and speed to power them over shown by his nine tries. Rotherham’s Harry Newborn switched from the front row to back row with aplomb.
8. Ryan Burrows (Sheffield) Burrows continues to utilise all of his professional nous to full effect. A beast of a ball carrier, the former Coventry No.8 appeared in all of Sheffield’s 26 outings and contributed a remarkable 17 tries, including braces against Leeds, Tynedale and Preston. Flyde’s Toby Harrison was always up for carrying the ball forward as well to get his men on the front foot.