Considering that the Pirates, Cornwall's representative side on the national stage, struggled to beat Manchester, the league's bottom club on Saturday, West's optimism of a third successive win may be justified.

Rotherham's victory against the Birmingham club demonstrated visibly that the recent improved form which exploded at Esher could be expanded. The Titans' growing confidence, typified by aggressive commitment repeatedly shown by Scottish props Stuart Corsar and Ben Prescott, was evident in the first half, and then gathered dangerous momentum in the second.

Watched admiringly by his brother Michael, the Bath scrum-half, winger Errie Claassens opened Rotherham's account stylishly and skilfully. Realising his break would make no further progress, the South African kicked ahead, and winning the chase for the ball, Claassens touched down for an exciting try.

Although Rotherham were competing against lively opponents who liked to counter attack and who enjoyed regular possession, they gradually gained control.

But not without some difficulty because they gave away too many penalties, put themselves under pressure and turned the ball over. However, on 20 minutes, flanker Ryan Burrows, a constant menace, seized the opportunity to score Rotherham's second try.

The Titans finished the first half strongly to lead 21-8 thanks to quick-thinking by scrum-half Neil Chivers. From a scrum on Moseley's line, seeing that the visitors' blindside was uncovered, Chivers ran to his left to score the third try.

Moseley reminded Rotherham that they could not be written off. Their defence was split too easily as winger Charlie Sharples burst through, but such was the Titans dominance in the second half that Moseley did not score again until late on in an entertaining contest.

With backs and forwards combining quickly and impressively, Rotherham scored regularly after the interval, crossing Moseley's line on 62, 68, 77 and 82 minutes. Told bluntly that they needed to match Moseley's physicality, Rotherham's pack responded forcefully.

Burrows, again prominent, created the fourth try for full-back Michael Whitehead and, six minutes later, lock Gregor Hayter charged over for the fifth. Rotherham's control was emphasised by accurate kicking from fly-half Tom Barlow, who put over the fourth of his five conversions.

Rotherham's forwards, dominating territory and possession, continued to threaten. Replacement hooker Hugo Horn and fellow Namibian international, flanker Tinus du Plessis, added the sixth and seventh tries to complete victory.

Du Plessis, a competent ball winner and strong tackler, is a fine acquisition, and his contributions will become even more influential once he stops conceding penalties.

In the last two games, Rotherham have scored more than 100 points, including 15 tries, but there are still concerns about their defence.

Nevertheless, West was delighted: "I'm happy with that. I thought that the two props, Corsar and Prescott, were outstanding throughout. They were awesome. Burrows was good, too, but as a team we are still giving too many penalties away."

Two of Rotherham's more experienced players, winger Jon Feeley, a danger to Moseley, and scrum-half Chivers, are both growing in confidence.

"The preparation over the summer sharpened me up and I've been more relaxed," explained Chivers.

"In the first four games, we had opportunities but we didn't complete them. Now, though, we are taking these chances instead of wasting them. Attacking wise, we are one of the biggest threats in the league.

"We were disappointed to let in two tries in the second half, so we still need to work on our defence."

Rotherham's substantial win was observed by their new signing from Samoa, prop Heroshi Tea. Recently arrived, Tea has already trained twice with his new colleagues and is likely to be included in the Titans' squad for the trip to Cornwall. Rotherham are expected to announce another new signing from Tonga shortly.

Rotherham Titans: Whitehead; Feeley, Hunt, Briers (Allen 73), Claassens; Barlow (West 78), Chivers (Erskine 70); Corsar, Conroy (Horn 67), Prescott, Hayter (McGowan 74), Challinor, Burrows, De Plessis, Skurr.

Moseley: Binns; Sharples, Cox, Reay, Bressington; Vasey, Taylor (Pasqualin 66); Williams, Caves; Sigley (Davis 32, Stott 56), Arnold, Evans, Atkinson, Bignell (Whitney 66), Rodwell.

Referee: A Taylorson (RFU).

Scores

Rotherham Titans – Tries: Claassens, Burrows, Chivers, Whitehead, Hayter, Horn, Du Plessis; c Barlow (5), West.

Moseley – Tries: Sharples, Cox, Rodwell; c Vasey; p Vasey (2).