Evans stars in welcome Titans victory

The Clifton Lane men won 34-17, a victory which will certainly give them fresh heart after a start to the season which has seen them slip to third from the bottom of the Championship.

With Gloucester youngster Evans bagging 24 points it was a comfortable victory ahead of next weekend’s second group game at London Welsh.

Said a pleased Burnell: “Lloyd was different class at times and he was one of the keys behind the win.

“It was important to show what we are about because we’ve been so disappointed in the last couple of weeks.”

Evans, only 20, was one of five deal-registered players in the squad including latest signing Oli Bryant from Leicester.

Fly-half Evans dominated Saturday’s game, scoring five classy penalties, two conversions and one of Rotherham’s three tries, the others coming from Toby Salmon and Jake Henry.

Titans were always on top against a strong Knights side, Salmon’s 25th minute opener putting them 13-3 ahead and then Henry bounding over on the wing to stretch the gap to 15 points.

Doncaster fought back as George Catchpole finished off a drive to the line, Doug Flockhart goaling to make it 18-10 at the break.

It was clear that the first score would be crucial in the second half and it was Rotherham who struck with an Evans penalty. Even though the visitors replied with a Lloyd Hayes try, converted by Flockhart, Rotherham kicked on well and Evans wrapped up a good afternoon with two further penalties and a converted late try between the sticks.