Match Report – Rotherham Titans vs Tigers
On Saturday the Tigers were on the road again, facing a massive challenge away to league leaders Rotherham Titans. The hosts are a big, physical and aggressive side, unbeaten at home throughout 2025 and with only two defeats all season. We were keen to build on the positive performance against Plymouth the previous week, knowing an eighty-minute effort was essential after falling away late against other top-four teams.
Training had gone well and confidence was high. Conditions were mixed, with a strong wind blowing down a small, heavy pitch. We chose to play with the elements early, targeting territory and possession. A penalty gave us a lineout deep in the Titans’ 22 and our forwards drove over for hooker Ben Gregory to score. Fly-half Oli Glasse converted for a dream start, 7–0 after five minutes.
Rotherham responded quickly with a well-worked try out wide to make it 7–5. The game ebbed and flowed amid a fierce aerial and physical battle, and Oli added a penalty on 19 minutes to extend our lead to 10–5. However, a missed tackle led to a line break and Rotherham’s second row crossed under the posts, sending us into half-time 10–12 down but pleased with our performance.
The Tigers started the second half strongly. Oli narrowly missed a tough penalty, but sustained pressure paid off when a multi-phase attack ended with winger Andy Riley finishing in the corner. At 15–12 up after 53 minutes, we were right in the contest.
Again the hosts hit back almost immediately, retaking the lead at 19–15. We continued to pour effort into the game and were held up several times on their line. In the 64th minute a turnover led to a length-of-the-field try for Rotherham, stretching the score to 26–15. A yellow card soon followed and, during that period, the Titans added two further tries to seal a 40–15 win.
The scoreline was harsh on a huge Tigers effort. With 15 minutes to go we were still right in the game against the league leaders. Oli Glasse was deservedly named Sedgley Man of the Match, but every player deserves credit for an immense shift.
Next Saturday is our final game of 2025, a special derby away to Sale FC at Heywood Road. Please make the short trip and get behind the Tigers.
Cheers,
Steve Hazz