Rotherham Titans 14 Cornish Pirates 19

 The Cornish Pirates made it five wins in a row as they battled past a predictably bruising challenge from Rotherham Titans at Clifton Lane, writes Dck Straughan.

On a chilly wintry afternoon this game went ahead at the fourth time of asking after a series of recent postponements but it was the Pirates who began the brighter of the sides and took the lead after just two minutes.

Ceiron Thomas`s superb penalty kick found the corner and from the resulting lineout and driving maul hooker Dave Ward fought his way over the Titans line to score.

Rotherham responded with a well worked try from lock Barney Maddison converted by Garry Law but the Pirates regained control and scored their second touchdown just before the half hour. The pack stole a scrum against the head and scrum-half Tom Kessell darted twenty metres to the line.

Thomas landed a brace of penalties just before the break and then a third early in the second half to make it 19-7 to the Pirates before the Titans responded with their second converted try, this time from former Plymouth Albion forward Robin Copeland.

In a gritty finale played amidst a heavy rain storm both teams had further chances but the Pirates defence held firm and ground out a deserved victory on the road.

Rotherham Titans

Foden, Kirwan, Monahan, Nonu, Hamilton, Law, Williams; Kilbane (Harris 48), Baines (Stagg 62), O`Donnell (Hooper 39 – 48), Patrick (McCall 48), Maddsion (Vaioleti 62), Dickinson (capt), Dougall (Copeland 48), Taulava

Replacement (not used) – Tellwright

Tries – Maddison, Copeland

Cons – Law (2)

Cornish Pirates

Evans, Daniel (McAtee 79), Short, Cooper, Pointer, Thomas, Kessell; Storer (Andrew 68), Ward, Paver, Nimmo, Smith (Maidment 79), Morgan, Burgess, Marriott

Replacements (not used) – Cowan-Dickie, Rimmer,  J.Doherty, Penberthy

Tries – Ward, Kessell

Penalties – Thomas (3)

Referee – M.Tutty (RFU)

Attendance – 500