During a frantic spell of injury time, Cardiff created three clear-cut chances to square things up and send the tie into extra time. Two of those openings fell to Nick Walne, and the tall right wing will curse himself to high heaven for messing up twice in as many minutes.If Swansea were guilty of a collective deceleration at the very worst moment, their captain was at pains to point out that he was not engaged in a personal slowing of the pulse. “I’m not taking my foot off the gas for anyone,” said the celebrated midfielder, referring to the now notorious dot claim by his club-mate and fellow website columnist, Colin Charvis. “That stuff about my impending retirement was so much bullshit, and it caused some animos.. er, added pressure in the build-up to this game. In actual fact, I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed a season as I’ve enjoyed this one.”One myth exploded, then: now for the next one.

Having heard Graham Henry, the Welsh national coach, bemoaning the fact that Swansea and Cardiff were scheduled to meet twice before the next Six Nations international in Rome, Plumtree leapt to the defence of club rugby by insisting that a hard rumble or two between showpieces was ideal “The players need this type of rugby,” he said. “The problem here in Wales is the number and quality of matches, not in the playing of high-level contests like this one. My Test contingent were given five clear days away from rugby after the international in Paris. What else do they want? It’s not as if these blokes are working down the mines.”There are those who think that Cardiff, a thoroughbred outfit without an ounce of mongrel to see them through the hard times, might benefit from a few man-hours at the coalface; certainly, they will need to toughen up before their Welsh-Scottish league meeting with Swansea this weekend, when defeat will effectively relieve them of their title. “Couldn’t punch our way out of a paper bag,” muttered one disconsolate visiting supporter as he mooched back towards the M4. The flesh is weak, it seems, and the spirit weaker still.Swansea: Tries R Jones, Payne, Robinson; Conversions Rees 2; Penalties Rees 3. Cardiff: Tries Morgan, E Lewis; Conversion Jenkins; Penalties Jenkins 3.Swansea: K Morgan; S Payne (G Henson, 47), M Taylor, S Gibbs (capt), M Robinson; C Rees (G Lewis, 78), R Jones (S Martens, 75); D Morris, G Jenkins, B Evans (C Anthony, 68), T Maullin (L Jones, 75), A Moore (J Griffiths, 74), P Moriarty, C Charvis, G Lewis (D Thomas, 55).Cardiff: R Williams; N Walne, G Thomas, J Robinson, C Morgan; N Jenkins, R Howley; S John (A Lewis, 65), J Humphreys, D Young (capt), C Quinnell, M Voyle, D Baugh, M Williams, E Lewis.Referee: P Adams (Ebbw Vale)..

During the first 10 minutes of the second half of a match which, until then had oscillated between mundane and awful, Sale demanded that their supporters suspend belief. In that time, Sale looked an effective Premiership team from the upper reaches of the table. As the game meandered towards its inevitable conclusion, Rotherham then gave a perfectly reasonable impression of a side comfortable in the knowledge that they would still be in the top flight at the start of next season. During the first 10 minutes of the second half of a match which, until then had oscillated between mundane and awful, Sale demanded that their supporters suspend belief.

In that time, Sale looked an effective Premiership team from the upper reaches of the table. As the game meandered towards its inevitable conclusion, Rotherham then gave a perfectly reasonable impression of a side comfortable in the knowledge that they would still be in the top flight at the start of next season.
The reality is altogether different. Rotherham will return to National One if the confrontation between the clubs is not to reach court this week and an expected settlement is agreed with English First Division Rugby, which provides for one-up, one-down at the end of the season.After an almost cavalier cameo in the final four minutes when Rotherham scored twice courtesy of Ben Wade and Phil Greaves, Mike Yarlett, the club’s biggest financial backer was in defiant mood. “Don’t worry,” he said, “we have learnt from our experience in the Premiership. We didn’t have enough time before the start of the season to get our act together, but we will bounce straight back up again and be much better organised for our next shot.”On Yarlett’s shopping list will be some centres who can tackle, as well as create attacking opportunities, plus a goal-kicker. The forwards have rarely been completely outplayed this season, and had they stuck to embarrassing the Sale eight as they did in the first half, and had Mike Umaga not missed with three absolute dollies in as many minutes, Rotherham might have recorded their third Premiership win.While Rotherham’s fate is apparently sealed, Sale have no room for complacency.

A week after they dispensed with the services of six first-team regulars, their director of rugby, Adrian Hadley, departed and Glenn Ross, the head coach, was replaced by Jim Mallinder. Having started the season so confidently with victories against Bath, Bristol, Gloucester and Northampton, they have slumped alarmingly.Rotherham: Tries Wade, Greaves Penalty Umaga. Sale: Tries Elliott 2, Robinson, Lines, Baxendell Conversions Hodgson 4 Penalties Hodgson 2Rotherham: M Umaga; P Greaves, C Hassan, J Shepherd, M Wood; D Scully, S Forster (C Harrison, 71); J Thorp, C Johnson, R Latham, L Greef (D Cook, 36), H Parr, I Fea’unati (B Wade, 59), R Earnshaw, M Schmid (capt).Sale: J Robinson; A Elliott, J Baxendell, D Harris (M Deane, 49), S Davidson; C Hodgson (N Little, 71), B Redpath (capt, P Knight, 72); A Black, B Jackman (A Titterrell, 69), J Thiel (D Bell, 61), S Lines, P Anglesea, R Appleyard (D Baldwin, 69), A Morris (R Wilks, h-t), A Perelini.Referee: B Campsall (Sowerby; replaced by D Pearson, Ashington, after 18min).. They had already completed their lap of honour and had their celebration party. But on Saturday at Old Anniesland, Hawick were allowed to do it all over again as they saw off the challenge of Glasgow Hawks to win the BT Scotland Premiership. At the same time, Bill McLaren’s home club spared the blushes on the face of the Scottish Rugby Union that in recent times has had a permanent red hue. They had already completed their lap of honour and had their celebration party.