Head coach's praise as Rotherham Titans shake off first defeat with thumping home win

Rotherham force their third try against Blaydon through Jack Bergmanas. Picture by KERRIE BEDDOWS

ROTHERHAM Titans head coach Adam Byron saluted a good day’s work as they bounced back to winning ways with a seven-try display.

A week after an early-season defeat away to Hull Ionians, Titans racked up a 50-3 victory over Blaydon at a sunny Clifton Lane which included 25 points from centre Lloyd Hayes.

Byron said: “We asked the boys to right some of the wrongs from last week, do the basics well and keep the scoreboard ticking after being nilled in the second half at Ionians and I’m really pleased that we did that.

“If Lloyd is playing well, it means we are playing well as a team because he’s getting space in that 13 channel. He’s getting his hands on the ball and he is able to do what he does well, which is open sides up.”

Touchdowns from Hayes, Sam Veall and Jack Bergmanas helped Rotherham to a 19-3 lead at half time and when Blaydon were temporarily reduced to 14 men by a yellow card early in the second half, Titans took advantage with a second score for Hayes and one for his centre partner Harry Dunne.

Despite problems with their lineout, the hosts pulled further clear with a first of the season for Callum Bustin and an interception try from Dunne.

Rotherham sit fifth in National Two North ahead of next Saturday’s home date against Tynedale, who have three wins from three so far.