Rotherham Phoenix 32 Old Otliensians 28

‘ENSIANS travelled to Rotherham in high spirits after beginning the season with two league wins.

However they soon knew it was going to be a tough game as they lost the ball against the head at the first scrum to the heavier Phoenix pack, resulting in a penalty and a 3-0 lead for Phoenix.

’Ensians fought back with a Connor Bateman penalty goal after six minutes but on eight minutes they conceded a further penalty to give Phoenix a 6-3 lead.

Wingers Declan Jackson and Connor Bateman testing the home side's back division and earned another penalty, goaled from almost 40 metres against the wind by Bateman.

Phoenix scored the first converted try but, not to be outdone, Rob Arbuckle barged over for a typical try, converted, to make it 13-13.

Phoenix broke through again after 38 minutes before, on the stroke of half-time, the visitors turned over the ball, opened out to the backs, where Luke Cowdell made the initial break and gave a great pass to Declan Jackson, who ran 60 metres round his marker to score the try of the match, the conversion levelling the score again at 20-20.

Phoenix went back in front as the see-saw match continued but Jackson beat all the opposition for another great try, this time going unconverted.

A Cowdell penalty gave ‘Ensians the lead for the first time with ten minutes to go but Phoenix scored a push-over try from a five-metre scrum to claim the victory and bonus point but ’Ensians' own bonus point from an entertaining game was the least they deserved.

The 2nd XV did not have a game as the opposition could not raise a team.

This week ‘Ensians play Stocksbridge, who were also promoted last season.