Rotherham Titans 34 Birmingham Solihull 11: Debut joy for Hampsey as Rotherham see off strugglers
The Titans achieved a bonus point towards the end when winger Jonny Hampsey, formerly with Morley, scored a try on his league debut.
Rotherham's third try was also scored by a debutant, replacement forward Sean Dougall, who has been dogged by shoulder trouble since arriving from Ulster academy, completing an incisive attack launched by centre Juan Socino.
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Hide AdRotherham struggled against the pace of the Bees, who were far more competitive than had been imagined. Tries from forward Adrian Griffiths and winger Anthony Elliott, enjoying scoring against his old club, both the result of sleepy defending, put Bees 14-10 in front.
The Titans needed to respond. At last, forward pressure was turned into points; from a lineout, lock Louis McGowan fought his way over, showing the same character that had delivered Rotherham's first try by full-back Peter Swatkins who was switched from the wing.
Rotherham's confidence expanded and their defence strengthened so effectively that the Bees, despite regular raids, were prevented from scoring after the interval.
By contrast, tries were created by Rotherham on 54 and 73 minutes. Dougall, fulfilling his role as a flanker, demonstrated good support play by diving over, and then Hampsey, following a fine break by scrum-half Joe Bedford, showed his pace and potential by beating defenders to grab the team's fourth and the bonus point.
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Hide AdRotherham coach Andre Bester still has plans to recruit four new players.
Rotherham Titans: Swatkins, Hampsey, Hunt, Socino, Stimpson, Hodgson, Bedford, Kilbane (Steenkamp 29), McGregor (Loney 43), Quigley (Harris 70), McGowan (Dougall 70), Sandford (Burrows 40), Dickinson, Baines, Kettle.
Birmingham Solihull: Foden, Tanumi, Barkley, Lawson, Elliott, Petty, Williams, Dugard (Sperando 73), Sammons (Reid 73), Halavatau (Tau 64), Taulava,Griffiths,Bentall, Denbee (Sanderson 52)Clayton.
Referee: S Lee.