Quick-fire Foley puts Titans back in charge
TWO TRIES in three minutes late in the second half by winger Ben Foley set up a remarkable Rotherham win at Clifton Lane where Jersey seemed on course for victory with a lead of 16-9.
Foley’s tries on 75 and 78 minutes changed the shape of a mediocre contest, but his efforts were then improved by two outstanding conversions from replacement fly-half Caolan Ryan on his Championship debut.
The 25-year-old was signed by the Titans in mid-week from National One club Darlington Mowden Park having previously played at the Worcester academy, Moseley and Coventry.
Ryan could not have imagined he would go on to play such a crucial role in Rotherham’s much needed win – their fourth in nine league games.
Showing few nerves, his two conversions from awkward angles on the touchline enabled the Titans to draw level at 16 all, and then three minutes later, Ryan’s accurate kicking, following Foley’s second try, stretched the lead to 23-16.
However, Rotherham still had to survive anxious moments in injury time as Jersey attacked close to the Titans’ line, but when their opponents turned the ball over, Jersey’s chances of a late win were ruined and they had to be content with a losing bonus point which their efforts fully deserved.
A try against his old club by centre Jordan Davies and four successful kicks by full-back Sam Katz appeared to have put Jersey in control, but Rotherham’s forwards fought back strongly as they laid on Foley’s first try, and then shortly afterwards, Foley kicked ahead a loose ball and won the chase to touch down for a vital try.
After watching his team struggle and make plenty of mistakes, Titans’ coach Justin Burnell was delighted with the late win.
“As usual we made hard work of it. But I’m proud to say I’ve never before come across a group of players with such a work ethic.
“They keep going and just want to learn. Towards the end it was nice to see Ryan step up.”
Jersey, like Rotherham conceded too many penalties and also failed to exploit favourable attacking positions.
Coach coach Harvey Biljon said: “We played all the rugby and made a tactical error that led to their second try. We let ourselves down because there were a couple of chances we didn’t take.”