Garforth undone by brilliant Rotherham

Rotherham Phoenix, last season's Yorkshire Four champions, got their campaign off to a storming start with a 43-0 romp on their visit to a disappointing Garforth.

Rotherham led only 8-0 at half time and, after turning round to play down the slope, ran away with the game in the final 20 minutes. No 8 Luke Palethorpe scored the opening try and Tom Jenkinson added a penalty goal in the first half.

Jenkinson converted all five second-half tries – by Pete Robinson, David Colclough, Andy Stewart, Owen Swift and Gareth Ashcroft.

Rotherham will clearly face a harder game next Saturday when they entertain Bramley Phoenix, who ran in six tries on their way to a 34-6 victory at Thornensians.

Aireborough, who finished in fourth last season, saw off a challenge from promoted York RI with a 19-0 home victory.

Props Tim Baxter and Mike Tully and winger Chris Blackshaw scored tries, with Blackshaw and Nick Holdsworth each landing a conversion.