Rotherham returned to the top league position as a result of this win to lead those clubs competing to gain promotion to the Championship. Their team is looking solid and deserved this sizeable win over a Clifton side showing changes from previous outings.

Clifton did have their moments and dug in, but were unfortunate that a try was disallowed for a double momentum early on, and they also incurred a yellow card. They were in contention and worked hard to contain their opponents during the first half.

This was Clifton’s second trip to the South Yorkshire club after travelling for over four hours a month ago to find the game called off on arrival with a frozen pitch, causing a further four hour trip back to Bristol. The lavender and blacks had been assured the match was on before setting off!

This rearranged game was played on what was marked as a rest day, with some regular players having made other plans for the weekend. With other players out on recovery from concussion and recent injuries, the squad included some players with more limited first-team experience.

The Clifton Sausage Man of The Match award went to prop Armani Symonds, whose energy and power in loose play in recent games has secured his place in the squad. The Rugby Paper’s star man was Titan’s number eight Callum Bustin, who broke his club’s try scoring record during the game.

The weather and pitch conditions were described as “filthy”, but that did not prevent the hosts running in the tries. Local spectators did disclose that Clifton really did deserve to get on the scoreboard.

Clifton now sit just one point below local rivals Dings Crusaders in the table, and will be eager to secure points in away fixtures at mid-table Reading Rams and Bishops Stortford on the next two Saturdays, before returning to home turf to face bottom side Leicester Lions at the end of the month.

Roger Opie