Sat 21 Aug 2021, 15:00
Leeds Tykes produced a strong second half fightback to overcome old foes Rotherham Titans in a wet affair to round off their pre-season preparations.
The visitors’ dominance showed after 15 minutes when second-row Matt Challinor barged over to give them a deserved lead. The conversion was missed but a penalty was added when the Tykes were penalised for collapsing the maul.
The hosts failed to cut the deficit with a penalty when the ball fell from the tee, meaning Conor Lloyd was forced to take a drop kick which drifted wide.
The second half was a more open affair as the Tykes scored two long-range tries from quick tap penalties, either side of conceding from another driving maul. This is something Captain Jake Brady says his side “need to address”.
The moment of the match came when Charlie Venables gathered his own kick after it cannoned off the upright, to touch down.
Failing to collect the restart required their defensive line to hold firm, facilitating one last try in the final seconds with another scintillating counter-attack. The conversion sailed over as the game ended with the scoreboard at 26-13.
Attack coach Dan Scarborough said, “We stuck to the gameplan and retained our self-belief, which was very pleasing and bodes well for the season ahead.”
Here's the match from our YouTube channel
Photo courtesy of John Ashton - check out John's matchday gallery.
