Rotherham Titans have trained well this week and are ready to face what is sure to be a stern challenge from Birmingham Moseley tomorrow afternoon; kick-off at Clifton Lane is 2pm.
Titans have over the last two weeks significantly upped their performances and arguably could have come away from the Plymouth and Cambridge games with the full 10 points.
However, unforced errors in those games saw the Titans on the wrong end of narrow defeats, although they did collect losing bonus points on both occasions.
Moseley, who sits one place above Rotherham in the table, will no doubt come into the game full of confidence after their impressive 35-15 home win over Cinderford last weekend.
And with each team undoubtedly recognising the importance of the match and the potential ramifications, the game is sure to be a keenly-fought affair with no quarter given.
Going into the clash Titans have made just one change to the 20 man squad which travelled to Cambridge last week, with at full back Tom Bacon getting the nod over Sam Allan.
Titans: 15 - Tom Bacon, 14 - Jamie Cooke, 13 - Tom Bullough, 12 - Harry Dunne, 11 - Ben Robbins, 10 - Sam Hollingsworth, 9 - Sam Boxhall, 1 - Toby Williams, 2 - Jack Bergmanas, 3 - Will Dennis, 4 - Dan Preston-Routledge, 5 - Kieran Frost, 6 - Lewis Wilson, 7 - Zak Poole (Capt.), 8 - Anthony Maka.
Oh dear, those 2 missed conversions disasterous on the day! Though I am unaware of degree of difficulty. Just felt after second non conversion, in close game, a pen would win it. No doubt match attendees will comment. Old Elth. next week, a must win.
It was a close game throughout, played, I must say, on a rough field of a pitch. Rotherham were fired up, realising the importance of the game. I thought we were industrious throughout - certainly no lack of effort - Buster and Morgan Dawes busy throughout. Good attempts to spread it wide and strong endeavour in the backs but we were held out by a decent - if at times somewhat ramshackle - defence. We were lucky with the first try, which came out of nowhere - kick through - after a sustained period in our 22. Where we lost it, perhaps, was in the set scrum, where we struggled to stay up and maintain pressure. Also, they had one try which followed what looked like both crossing and obstruction by the ref, leaving one of their forwards to stroll through while we looked on bewildered. If only we had video ref. Just a bit more cohesion and composure in applying sustained pressure and we could have taken it. Deeply impressed, again, by the commitment of the lads and their spirit, which cannot be faulted. We deserve more - and let's hope, with continuing support, that we can turn the tide and build on the success of last week, when we were, in my view, superb. Come on Mose!
