TItans made to pay for costly lapses

ROTHERHAM Titans' defeat, their third in five National One matches, was self-inflicted and as long as the painful lessons are learned, no long-term damage should occur.

Titans was so generous that they handed on a plate at least two tries, and when a team is behind 14-0 in the opening 25 minutes, it is hard to recover and produce a match winning position.

Full-back and skipper, Michael Whitehead, was quick to accept the blame for this unnecessary loss by four tries to one: "I was bad and played my worst game for Rotherham. I cost the side three tries.

"I've apologised to the boys because, tactically, I shoulder responsibility, and when you are a new team, you need your expereienced ploayers to stand up and point you in the right direction" said Whitehead.

There's also a strong case for arguing that Whitehead, who is normally consistently good, got it badly wrong again on 59 minutes.

Titans, fighting back through their pack and trailing by just 17-10 with more than 30 minutes remaining, were awarded a penalty which Whitehead would easily have put over to make it 17-13. Instead of taking the points, the skipper chose to go for the line out and hopefully a try. Titans promising attacking position was not turned into points.

Coventry, largely incapable of delivering any constructive rugby by themselves, survived and deservedly went on to win by scoring two late tries from winger Kurt Johnson on 69 and 70 minutes.

Earlier, forward Louis McGowan, supported by a decent performance from the forwards, led the recovery by scoring on 55 minutes.

And as Titans maintained the pressure on Coventry's line he came close to crashing over for a second.

Unfortunately, McGowan charging to the line, was tackled just inches short.

Coach Phil Werahiko, learning quickly that National One is a tough competition, was deeply upset at the result, but was right to point out that Rotherham's pack had played well.

"Whitehead admitted he messed up 15 points but there were several pleasing aspects.

The scrum and line-out were the best this season.

"Centre Mark Lawson looked sharp and I thought James Waterhouse on his debut in the forwards showed that he could live in National One.

"Our forwards gave us loads of opportunities, but where was the support when Lawson made the breaks. They came to nothing."

Werahikio's budget is still not spent and there is enough in the kitty to strengthen the pack by recruiting two forwards possibly from Samoa and South Africa.

The coach would also like to bring in another centre if possible, but any new signings will take place after Saturday's home game agasinst Esher.

Coventry: Toft, Dixon, McLean-Dents, Sanders, Johnson, Dorrian, Slater, Maddocks, Whitehead, Rimmer, Gillanders, Hodge, Venter, Clayton, McGlone.

Tries: McLean-Dents, Maddocks, Johnson (2). Conversions: McLean-Dents 2, Russell, pen McLean-Dents.

Rotherham Titans: Whitehead, Feeley, Allen, Lawson, Grissing, Nolan, Dillon, Sweeney, Corrigan, Boulton, Waterhouse, McGowan, Jacobsz, Cochrane, McComish.

Try: McGowan, conversion Whitehead, penWhitehead.

Referee: B Robertson RFU.