Below-par Rotherham Titans lose long unbeaten home record to league leaders

Despite being competitive in the first half, Titans were overrun in the second period, going down 41-16 to stronger, more clinical opponents who now have six bonus point wins from six at the top of National Two North.

It was Rotherham’s first loss at the Lane since March 2020 after a run of 18 straight wins.

Head coach Adam Byron said: “I don’t mind being beaten but we were well beaten today.

“There were things we wanted to improve on in the second half but the things we wanted to improve on got worse.

“Our precision in certain areas of the pitch and our attack wasn’t what it has been in recent weeks and defensively we weren’t getting the two-man hits and slowing the ball down.”

Rotherham’s solitary try came in the first half from scrum-half Sam Boxhall, while Corben Ollivent kicked the rest of the points.

Fylde ran in five tries in all, all converted by man of the match Greg Smith.

Titans must now steel themselves for another toughie away to second-placed Sedgley Park next Saturday, when leading points scorer Lloyd Hayes is expected to make a return from the foot injury that kept him out of today’s contest.

The defeat nudged Rotherham down to fourth place in the table, nine points off top spot.

Added Byron: “The boys need to take this on the chin.

“It’s tough to take but we’ll own it and look to improve from here.”

Fylde head coach Chris Briers said: “The lads were really up this one because it was going to be our biggest test of the season. The focus was there and we know that if it is there and we perform then there’s a good chance we could put these types of scorelines on most sides.

“Last time we came here we were frustrasted we didn’t come away with the points. We didn’t want to to do that again."