Richmond vs Rotherham Titans: Match Review

BLAZE rugby commentator Sam Roberts looks back on the clash between Richmond and Rotherham Titans, the fifth Elior Champ Rugby fixture to be shown live on BLAZE.

Newly promoted Rotherham Titans continued their impressive start to the Elior Champ campaign with a deserved win at the Richmond Athletic Ground on Sunday afternoon.

Richmond, still chasing their maiden victory of the season, might have hoped home advantage would provide an opportunity. However, stubborn defence, wily attack and neat opportunism ensured the South Yorkshire side took all five points.

Lekima Ravuvu opened the scoring for the visitors, only for hooker Will Goffey to hit back five minutes later. From then on, Rotherham went through the gears. Fly-half Russell Bennett crossed before Ben Cambriani created the try of the game, slicing through Richmond’s defence and releasing lock John Okafor to score. Cambriani grabbed a try of his own just before half-time, racing down the left wing: he now has four tries in five starts.

The second half began with both sides defending resolutely, but Rotherham eventually broke the deadlock through hooker Dewald Kotze. Richmond’s Tom Riman crossed with 10 minutes remaining, but the visitors had enough poise and power to see out the win.

The league takes a weekend off before BLAZE heads to Rotherham on 1 November to see them face Cornish Pirates. Coverage begins at 3.30pm ahead of a 4pm kick off.