Otley 6

Rotherham 53

LAST year's League One champions made the start they hoped for when they passed the half century at Cross Green on Sunday gaining their bonus point before half-time.

They had six new faces on view, some necessary because of injury or absence, but with a full-time squad of 30 players who have been training every day since June 1 it was no impediment.

It was their strong and well-organised forwards who paved the way for victory, dominating the line-out until late in the game when Otley decided on using James Tiffany on their own ball and creating many turnovers.

Behind them No 10 Ramiro Pez had an armchair ride and he made the most of his opportunities. His prompting brought the best out of all round him and after kicking a first minute penalty he was to add a try and five conversions before making way for Jon Benson on 66 minutes.

Otley too introduced new players, Neil Law, with limited opportunity, produced some strong runs on the wing, once being pulled down only yards short. Jason Oakes and Gareth Manuel formed a solid second row, whilst Matt Bacon slipped comfortably into Andy Brown's shoes when he replaced him after 39 minutes. Mark Luffman and No 6 Matt Holmes slightly spoiled their debuts, each of them gaining a yellow card within minutes of joining the fray as replacements which aided Otley's cause not a jot.

The first try came on nine minutes, set up by winger Michael Wood, with a searing run down the left with No 7 Russell Earnshaw moving the ball on to right-winger Craig James but new captain Simon Binns, who was called upon to do far too much tackling, brought the score back to 6-10 with penalties in the 14th and 22nd minutes.

Otley were looking more settled but they were unable to secure the re-start and strong running centre Mike Umaga burst through with full-back Peter Massey joining the line to accept a pass from ex-Otley centre Tim Foster to score wide out.

A fine high kick down the touch-line by Otley's Brown from behind his forwards almost brought a try, Mark Kirkby leading the race only for the ball to bounce cruelly into touch.

Rotherham's Pez dodged over six minutes later and just before the break No 6 Leon Greeff gained his side a bonus point, scoring their fourth try to give them a comfortable half-time lead.

That was soon increased when Massey once more came in to break the home line and put Wood in at the corner. Otley stuck to their guns and began to make inroads into the Rotherham defence but found the cover stifling and they were unable to make the vital yards.

The next try, on 56 minutes, was straight out of the coaching manual. Massey caught an Otley clearance kick 40m out and after making a few metres he was surrounded by his forwards who drove to the line. Second row Glen Kenworthy finished off.

Greeff went over for his second try and the final word went to the popular ex-Otley second row Dan Cook after Otley had been pushed back to their line by conceding two successive penalties.

Rotherham skipper Chris Johnson, was fulsome in his praise for Otley. He said his side had expected a hard game and they got one but he was delighted that they had taken their chances well and had kept a clean sheet.

l On Saturday Otley travel to Rugby.