Rotherham Titans completed their pre-season preparations in impressive fashion as they overcame a spirited Durham University side 64-21 at Clifton Lane.

Played on a mild evening under the lights, the game provided an entertaining and competitive final test for the newly promoted Champ outfit ahead of the start of their league campaign.

Although the final scoreline suggested a comfortable evening for the hosts, the reality was very different during the opening 40 minutes, with Durham producing a committed and ambitious display which saw them deservedly lead at the interval.

Titans eventually found another gear after the break, however, producing a powerful second-half performance which saw them dominate proceedings and score seven unanswered tries.

Rotherham made a bright start, and their early pressure was rewarded when hooker Louis Inman crossed for two tries, giving the hosts an early advantage.

Durham responded impressively, though, with wing Harry Dawson showing excellent pace and footwork to dart through the Titans defence and reduce the deficit.

Rotherham restored some breathing space when Callum Bustin powered his way over following a strong forward drive, but the students refused to be overawed by their Champ opponents.

Durham continued to play with pace and ambition, and their efforts were rewarded when centre Finn Stables crossed for their second try.

The visitors then finished the half strongly, with number eight Joual Timerman adding another score to complete an excellent opening 40 minutes for Durham.

The students headed into the break with a 21-19 lead, leaving Titans with plenty to ponder at half-time.

Whatever was said in the Rotherham dressing room clearly had the desired effect.

The hosts emerged for the second half with renewed purpose and quickly regained control, with Inman completing his hat-trick after Titans once again turned to the power of their pack and a well-executed catch-and-drive.

That score opened the floodgates, as wing Epi Rokodrava then produced a quick-fire brace to put Rotherham firmly in the driving seat.

With the Titans forwards continuing to dominate and the backs making the most of the quality ball being presented to them, further tries followed.

Jack Delaney and Lekima Ravuvu both crossed the whitewash as Rotherham continued to pile on the pressure, before Chris Kirby added the ninth Titans try of the evening.

Durham continued to battle throughout and deserve considerable credit for the way they maintained their attacking intent despite the growing deficit.

The final score arrived in injury time and, fittingly, it was another reward for Rotherham’s dominant forward performance as a penalty try brought up their tenth and completed a 64-21 victory.

While the final margin was emphatic, Titans were made to work hard for their victory, particularly during a first half in which Durham demonstrated plenty of skill, pace and ambition.

For Rotherham, the second-half display was a hugely encouraging way to round off their pre-season programme. The forward pack laid an impressive platform, while the backline showed plenty of attacking threat once possession became more plentiful.

The win completes Titans’ pre-season preparations and attention now turns firmly towards Champ Rugby.

Next weekend, the real business begins when Coventry visit Clifton Lane for the opening game of what promises to be an exciting new chapter for Rotherham Titans.

Harvey Biljon commented after the game:

“This is a brilliant fixture for because of the attitude that Durham bring and the way that they want to play the game. And because of that it gives us a great opportunity to test ourselves against a side that plays a high tempo with speed and off-loads and that’s great preparation for us going into the season.

“At half time we identified 3 key areas and the crucial part is the players took the messages and transferred that into the second half and that’s a great place for coaches to be.

“We are really happy; Fred Welbury, Ben Farrow, Harry Tunningley, Jack Howells, Jack Delaney, Peter Hudson-Kowalewicz, Brayton Taylor, Chris Kirby and the list goes on - some of those guys were getting their first opportunity to play in a Rotherham shirt and four or five of them are under 20 years-old – and that’s a great place for us to be moving forwards.

“That’s our pre-season wrapped up, and we’ve scored plenty of points along the way, but that counts for nothing as our league campaign starts and we have to be clear with that message. But with the players, for the short time we’ve been able to have them with us, we’ve got them as best prepared as we can and I’m happy with how we put the programme together.”

Titans Scorers: Inman (3T), Rokodrava (2T), Bustin (T), Delaney (T), Ravuvu (T), Kirby (T), Penalty Try, Threlfall (6C)

Durham Uni Scorers: Dawson (T), Stables (T), Timerman (T), Platt (3C)

Referee: Charlie Gayther

Assistant Referees: Kieron Henry & John Meredith

Titans: 15 James Norman, 14 Peter Hudson-Kowalewicz, 13 Jack Delaney, 12 Gus Patterson, 11 Epi Rokodrava, 10 Tom Threlfall, 9 Brent Jackson, 1 D’arcy Mulrooney, 2 Louis Inman, 3 Andrew Foster, 4 Curran Maguire, 5 James Brown, 6 Jack Baldry (Capt.), 7 Fred Welbury, 8 Callum Bustin.

Replacements: 16 Harry Tunningley, 18 Tom Bairstow, 27 Lekima Ravuvu, 20 Will Redmayne, 21 Ben Farrow, 22 Joe Adams, 23 Jack Howells, 24 Brayton Taylor, 25 Chris Kirby.