National Division 1

28th April 2007

Monks Lane

Newbury 21

Titans 57

Earth Titans

15 Andrew Turnbull, 14 Brian Tuohy, 13 Showan Smith, 12 Bernard Hennessey, 11 Errie Claassens, 10 Gareth Steenson, 9 Joe Bedford (Capt), 1 Sam Walsh, 2 Nigel Conroy, 3 Adam Hopcroft, 4 Erik Lund, 5 Louie McGowan, 6 Hendre Fourie, 7 Jannie Bornman, 8 Neil Cochrane,.

Replacements: 16 Jamie Kilbane , 17 Gareth McComb, 18 Tom Allen, 19 Michael Kirkwood, 20 Jon Buchanan, 21 Steve Croall, 22 Shane Stewart.

Newbury

15 Nick Defty , 14 Liam Gibson , 13 Mark Ireland, 12 Ali James, 11 Martin Nutt, 10 Tim Walsh, 9 Mark Simpson-Daniel, 1 Raynne Bruce , 2 Andrew Dalgleish, 3 Simon Carter, 4 Tom Radbourne, 5 John Chance, 6 Gregor Hayter (Capt), 7 Chris Morgan, 8 Tom Brown.

Replacements: 16 Greg Barden, 17 Ian Ashcroft-Leigh, 18 Steve Robinson, 19 Chris Rainbow, 20 Glen Cooper, 21 Ken Bingham, 22 Dan Smaje.

The home side offered little resistance but their adventurous style made for an entertaining game punctuated by some fine tries from a rampant Rotherham side.

“We have come a long way in two years and the core of the squad will be here next season so that we can move forwards,” said Claassens.

“I was in the right place at the right time to score the tries which is always nice but the conditions allowed us to play running rugby.

“The last two weeks have meant a lot to all of us.”

Andre Bester and his squad were given a standing ovation by the travelling supporters at the full-time whistle after a remarkable season that brought the Titans to the brink of promotion.

Bester refused to be drawn on his next move but has confided that he has job offers in rugby and the commercial world.

“The players have been very special and a lot of them have proved themselves after arriving as unknowns,” said Bester.

“They were up for this match against a side that can be difficult to play against and although we let them back into the game in the second-half, putting fifty points on a team is a big achievement.”

Jannie Bornman set up a maul that resulted in a try for Joe Bedford and the lead was doubled when Showan Smith broke and off-loaded to Brian Tuohy to score.

Patient forwards play gained the territory for Jannie Bornman to make a dash for the line for his first try of the game and Andy Turnbull burst through the Newbury cover before letting in Errie Claassens to score.

Number 8 Neil Cochrane, who kept a cool head in possession to set up a string of chances throughout the match, found Steenson who’s long pass gave Claassens the opportunity to score his second try of the game on the stroke of half-time.

The Titans made a sluggish start after the break and conceded a try to John Chance but Claassens ran in unopposed to wrap up his hat-trick inside the hour mark.

Chris Rainbow pulled a score back for Newbury and Martin Nutt crossed the line soon afterwards to cut the lead to 36-21 after Nic Defty’s conversion.

But the Titans dominated the final ten minutes of the game as Turnbull cruised home from half-way, Claassens added his fourth after a trademark step through the Newbury defensive line and Bornman scored a late interception try.

Final Score: Newbury 21-57 Rotherham

Match Report courtesy of Michael Temple from the clubs Official website, www.rotherhamrugby.co.uk

Attendance: 685

Other Weekend Results

Sat 28 April 2007

Coventry 20-32 Cornish Pirates
Doncaster 22-12 Bedford
Exeter 43-21 Sedgley Park
Otley 10-12 London Welsh
Pertemps Bees 36-43 Nottingham
Plymouth Albion 22-22 Leeds
Waterloo 20-33 Moseley