Rotherham Titans tough out victory over Chester to end poor run

After a tight first half which ended 10-10, Titans pulled out a 26-21 win that moves them back above their visitors and into fifth place in National Two North.

The home tries came from prop Danny Rylance and wing Ollie Parker, who was making his debut.

Lloyd Hayes landed six of his seven kicks at goal for a personal haul of 16 points. Rotherham had lost four out of six heading into the fixture.

Forwards coach Matt Smith said: “We are a team that is struggling a bit for confidence and the biggest thing was to get the win.

“I saw lots of good things and that’s what we’re going to try focus on and build on.”

Smith was also glad to see debutant Parker on the try sheet.

“I’m chuffed to bits for him," he said "Ollie has been coming to training for over a year. He’s a good squad man and this week there was an opportunity to put him in. You could see what it meant to him and they’re the type of people we want here who are ready to battle and will do it with a smile on their face.”

Smith continues to help lead the squad with support from senior players while the club looks for a new head coach to succeed Adam Byron, who left by mutual consent last month. No news on that is imminent.

Titans are away to Preston Grasshoppers next Saturday.