Weakened team angers fans

The next time the Titans are at home – against Bedford next month in the first round of the promotion play-offs – Rotherham’s supporters will be demanding a much more competitive performance and one which threatens.

The decision of coach Andre Bester to put out, in effect, a second team angered dozens of fans but if Rotherham prosper in the next stages, his decision to rest major players to avoid the risk of injury will have been the right one.

Showing 10 changes to the side which beat Doncaster, Rotherham not only failed to score a point but, worryingly, as regards the strength of the reserves available, rarely looked capable of causing any damage.

Beaten by three tries to none by a sharp Scottish side who moved the ball quickly and defended effectively, Rotherham conceded tries to full-back Stuart Peel, Argentina international winger Agustin Gosio and centre Ryan Western.

Rotherham, trailing 10-0 at half-time, showed more aggression and gained more territory in the second half. Replacement centre Dave McCall, dashing 50 metres, almost scored but was tackled into touch. Throughout, flanker Tom Armes, who is also registered at Leicester and was on debut, demonstrated the skills needed to compete at this level.

Armes, from Norfolk, is a solid addition to the Rotherham squad which faces much tougher challenges in the play-offs.

Rotherham Titans: Hamilton, Tellwright, Godfrey (McCall 40), Nonu, Homan, Hodgson, Farnham, Kilbane (Harris 70), Stagg, O’Donnell, Patrick (Stout 74), Griffiths, Armes, Kirwan, Wade (Vaioleti 50).

London Scottish: Peel, Gosio, Western, Hayter, Mullen, James Brown (Grove 77), Heeks (Stevenson 58), Clarke, Standfield, Liffchak, Pape (Karonias 52), Josh Brown, Lonergan, Bright.

Referee: R Campbell.