Roth bounce back with Bonus
David Strettle
By Roth Admin
March 14 2005
Titans got back on track with an impressive 2nd half display, putting Pertemps Bees to the sword 35-6 at Sharmans Cross Road. Four second half tries from Tuiavii, Golding and two from flying winger Strettle, ensured the Titans secured the full five points for the first time in 5 attempts.
Acting Head Coach Andy Northey stated afterwards, “What I said to the lads in the huddle is that this game is our season! To break it down; good in parts and terrible in parts. We played into the wind first half and I was a little disappointed we missed some one on ones and we dropped off a few tackles. But I was happy how we reacted in the second half.
“I asked them at half time to give me a little bit more and to take a grip of the game and we did that - we kept ball for longer periods. I still wasn’t overly impressed with our first phase ball which wasn’t guaranteed. Having said that, I was more than happy to get the win and a bonus point.
So big smiles all around and now our job is to build on this performance and repay Otley for the defeat they gave us up at their place!”
Rotherham started the brighter but Bees certainly had the better of a low scoring and scrappy first half. Bees fly half Tim Walsh nudged the hosts ahead on 15 minutes with a well executed drop goal from around 35 metres.
Just four minutes later and Tom Eaton levelled with a well taken penalty into the stiff breeze after Pertemps had drifted offside.
On 32 minutes Titans hooker Richard Emms was sent to the bin for killing the ball and six minutes later Bees open side flank Tom Jordan received the same punishment for the same crime.
From the resulting penalty Eaton slotted Rotherham into a flattering lead. However on the stroke of half time Tim Walsh redressed the balance with a penalty of his own after Jon Golding had infringed for coming into the maul from the side.
Half Time: Bees 6 Roth 6
Two minutes into the second period Tom Eaton kicked his 3rd successful penalty of the afternoon after Bees had gone over the top at a ruck.
Roth’s first try came on 51 minutes when Tuiavii broke through a ruck 15 metres out and ran unchallenged to touch down near the posts after good work from Jannie Bornman. Eaton converted the easy penalty.
Two minutes later and poor handling from Bees enabled David Strettle to pounce and kick through. Strettle gave chase and outstripped the defence to collect and touch down under the posts. Eaton converted.
On the hour mark with Rotherham now well on top, Aussie Pete Jorgensen kicked through for Strettle to chase. A betting man wouldn’t have gambled much on the youngster getting there, however Strettle’s determination coupled with Bees bundling efforts to clear the danger enabled the winger to score his 15th try of the season. Once again Tom Eaton converted.
With the result settled Rotherham set about securing the wining bonus point and they were rewarded just two minutes from time when loose head prop Jon Golding was driven over from 5 metres to score his third try of the season. Jon Benson on as a replacement and making his first appearance of the season missed the difficult conversion from the left touchline.
Final Score: Bees 6 Roth 35
Roth Admin Man of the Match: David Strettle – scored two opportunist tries through sheer pace and determination. With just five games to go, can he beat Michael Wood’s record of 22 tries in a season?
Referee: Sharp (RFU)
Scorers: Bees – Walsh (2P). Rotherham – Tuiavii (T) Strettle (2T) Golding (T) Eaton (3P3C)
Rotherham:
15 Anthony Elliott, 14 David Strettle, 13 Peter Jorgensen, 12 Lee Blackett, 11 Michael Wood (Hopkinson 76), 10 Tom Eaton (Benson 64), 9 Jacob Rauluni (Haami 64), 1 Jonathan Golding, 2 Richard Emms (Rice 73), 3 Rod Latham (Boulton 66), 4 Opeta Palepoi (Pike 70), 5 Glen Kenworthy (Pendlebury 70), 6 Des Tuiavii ©, 7 Tu Tamarua, 8 Jannie Bornman
Replacements
16 Tom Rice, 17 Phil Bolton, 18 Richard Hopkinson, 19 Nathan Pike, 20 Jonathan Pendlebury, 21 Brendan Haami, 22 Jon Benson
Pertemps Bees:
15 Hunt, 14 Takarangi, 13 Woof, 12 Scott Williams, 11 Baxter, 10 Walsh, 9 Richardson, 1 Le Chavelier, 2 Merritt, 3 O’Keefe, 4 Davidson, 5 Hurrell, 6 Hughes, 7 Jordan, 8 Jenner
Replacements
16 Long, 17 Miles, 18 Walton, 19 Fakatou, 20 Stean Wiliams, 21 Knight, 22 Davies