1st XV
Matches
Sat 16 Nov 2019  ·  National League 1
Bishop's Stortford RFC
1st XV
30
14
Rotherham
Bishop's Stortford 1st XV 30 Rotherham Titans 14

Bishop's Stortford 1st XV 30 Rotherham Titans 14

John Allanson16 Nov 2019 - 22:11
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Stortford gain a vital win against Rotherham, steadily working their way into some convincing form after a faltering first half.

As usual, Stortford looked to play expansive rugby but, despite enjoying the majority of possession, were unable to break down a stubborn Rotherham defence. It took 21 minutes for the first score to come and it duly went the home team's way, after a good drive by the forwards, with James Apperley to the fore forced a penalty under the visitors' posts. Brad Burr made no mistake from the kicking tee and his team continued to press, but Rotherham were aggressive in defence and Stortford were lured into making a number of careless passes. The visitors showed little ambition in attacking terms and, predictably, their first scoring chance came from a bad mistake in Stortford's midfield, which saw the ball bouncing loose behind the home backline. A Rotherham centre was quick to seize on the ball, sprinting clear and was hauled down only by a tackle from behind by James Ayrton. Support arrived quickly, though and in numbers and, despite another tremendous last-ditch tackle by Tom Banks, two more quick phases saw second row, Elliott Ward over for a try close to the posts, which flyhalf, Morgan Bunting converted, as time was running out in the first half. There was time enough for Stortford to win another penalty from the restart, but Burr's attempt at goal fell short, as his standing foot slipped.

Rotherham showed new ambition from the restart and caught Stortford's defence flat-footed, finding it all too easy to register their second try within 2 minutes through No 8, Anthony Maka, after a powerful driving maul from a lineout inside Stortford's 22. Bunting again added the conversion and things were starting to look ominous for the home side. Showing characteristic determination and grit, though, the Stortford side hurled itself back onto the front foot, posing new threats with James Ayrton now operating at 10. Rotherham nevertheless held out for 10 minutes, until the tireless Sam Winter finally made a clean break inside Rotherham's half and found Nick Hankin supporting inside to run over for a try under the posts. Banks added the extras and narrowed the deficit to a single point 4 minutes later, when further home pressure forced a penalty under the visitors' posts. The Rotherham defence was now starting to wilt and their cause was not helped, when winger, Dan Leake was yellow carded 6 minutes later for a cynical intervention from an offside position inside his own 22. The home side quickly took advantage, with debutant second row, James Thacker getting his just desserts after an impressive match with a try close to the posts with the last of several powerful forward drives at the line. Banks converted and added another 3 points 4 minutes later, when Rotherham were penalised for playing the scrumhalf at the back of a ruck, stretching Stortford's lead to 9 points. The home team's tails were now up and they pressed forward, determined to close the game out. The visitors managed to mount a single counter attack after a Stortford handling error, but the ball was soon turned over and Rob Duff embarked on a great 50 metre run from well inside his own half to be hauled down close to Rotherham's line. A breakdown penalty was won and kicked to touch and a good driving maul was launched from the lineout. This was halted short of the line, only for Thacker to burst off the back and plunge over for his second try to round off his man of the match performance. Banks converted off the crossbar from close to touch to round off what was a hard-fought but, in the end, a convincing win.

Match details

Match date

Sat 16 Nov 2019

Kickoff

15:00

Competition

National League 1

League position

10
Bishops Stortford
14
Rotherham
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

1st XV and Blues - ADL Skip Hire
1st XV and Blues Sponsor - Belcom
1st XV and Blues Sponsor - BIT Solutions
Player Sponsor - forfront Signs
Player Sponsor - Forward
1st XV and Blues - GRS Groundworks
Post protectors & Flag sponsor - Harlow Agricultural Merchants
Club Sponsor - HD Print
1st XV Shirt Sponsor - Hilton Coachworks
1st XV Sponsor - Koru Gym
1st XV & Youth Sponsor - Mantle Business Centres
1st XV Sponsor - MCB
1st XV and 3rd XV Sponsor - MJ Warner
Player Sponsor - MM Property Services
Player Sponsor - Palmer & Martin Hire
Official Photographer Sponsor - Recruit Ability
Dugout Sponsor - Spencer Fellows & Co
Club - Steel Build Masters
1st XV Principal Sponsor - Tees
Whole Club Sponsor - Westbury Joinery
Whole Club sponsor - Westbury Garden Rooms
Player Sponsor - Wickman