Rotherham Phoenix 24 - 48 Knaresborough

After two disappointing results Phoenix went into the game looking ultimately for an improved performance, in this cup match against a team playing well in the league above them. What they encountered though during the first half was a hard lesson of how to play to the conditions.

Playing with a strong wind behind them Knaresborough played a game of ten man rugby that saw excellent kicks into Phoenix's 22 being turned over by their larger and more powerful pack.

Phoenix were starved of possession and conceded 48 points in a nearly one sided first half. Towards the end of the first half a couple of promising runs by Phoenix's dangerous backs had Knaresborough's large pack going backwards, but Roth could not breach the line.

With pride on the line however Rotherham produced their best rugby of the season so far, with the wind that so favoured Knaresborough in the first half gone. Roth produced the style of running rugby that few defences would cope with, Roth put everything they had into the game and scored 24 unanswered points.

But ultimately this was little too late, a hard test that Roth came out of with their heads held high and a renewed sense of confidence that will hopefully lead them back to wining ways.

Roth Scorers:

Andy Stewart (2T), Richard Westran (1T), Jon Saddington (1T), Jon Sadington (2C).

Rotherham Phoenix

15 Nick Warhurst, 14 James Mallinder, 13 Andy Stewart, 12 Simon Duke, 11 Jon Sadington, 10 Mark Coultis, 9 Alex Worth, 1 Jonny White, 2 Scott Crookes, 3 Pete Robinson, 4 Mark Palethorpe, 5 Luke Palethorpe, 6 Ben Hastie, 7 Richard Westran, 8 Jamie Morris.

Replacements

16 Steve Houghton, 17 Richard Hallford, 18 Jon Ratcliffe, 19 Tony Crookes.

Adwick 22 – 36 Rotherham Phoenix

After a spirited fight back in the cup last week against a higher ranked Knaresborough team, Rotherham came into the game confidence. A good opening 15 minutes saw Rotherham score the opening try through number 6 Richard Westran which was converted.

However before half time Rotherham fell back into their old habits and saw Adwick take the lead going into half time at 15 – 7.

After the interval however it was a different story. Rotherham increased the tempo to play the kind of high speed, quick rugby that is their main strength. As a result of this Roth bounced back to record their first ever league win.

Roth scorers:

Tom Jenkinson (2T), Richard Westran (T), John Saddington (1T3C), Alex Worth (T), James Mallender (T), John Saddington (1T3C).

Rotherham Phoenix

15 Nick Warhurst, 14 James Mallender, 13 John Saddington, 12 Simon Duke, 11 John Ratcliffe, 10 Tom Jenkinson, 9 Alex Worth. 8 Jamie Morris, 7 Ben Hastie, 6 Richard Westran, 5 Luke Palethorpe, 4 Mark Palethorpe, 3 Pete Robinson, 2 Scott Crookes, 1 Carl Banks

Replacements

16 Andy Ellis, 17 Mark Coultis, 18 Tony Crookes.

Man of the match against Adwick: Carl Banks & Luke Palethorpe

Next week: Rotherham Phoenix look to secure back to back league victories as they take on local rivals Rawmarsh away.