RUGBY UNION: Plusses for skipper Zak Poole as Rotherham Titans begin pre-season with six-try victory

SKIPPER Zak Poole sees encouraging early signs after Rotherham Titans blasted off the summer cobwebs with a convincing pre-season win.

They saw off Shropshire-based side Newport Salop 40-7 at Clifton Lane,  with Poole claiming two of the six tries in a match played in three 25-minute segments.

It was a good launchpad for the National Two North hopefuls, who have been boosted by several new faces.

"It feels good in camp. I think the new boys have strengthened us,” said Poole.

"We’ve got some older heads and some size and we’ve also got some gas in the backs so I couldn’t ask for any more. We have two more warm-up games after this before the first league game and it’s all about tying it together.”

Titans did the spadework in the first session, opening out a 21-7 lead with tries from Poole, Jack Bergmanas and Callum Bustin, all converted by Lloyd Hayes.

The win was furnished by further scores from Poole, newcomer Laurence Cowen-Leak and a fine team effort finished off in the corner by Rupert Kay. Hayes converted five of the six tries.

Rotherham make the trip to Guernsey on Saturday  for a friendly (2pm start) before hosting a strong Durham University side back at the Lane on Friday, August 25 (7.30pm).

The first game of the National Two North season against newly promoted Billingham follows on Saturday, September 2 (2pm).

Head coach Gary Pearce said: “Overall I’m pretty pleased. It was a good workout.

“All these pre-season games offer something to build on. We know we are going to be off at times. It’s just the nature of it. Changes don’t often help a game situation and I thought coming up to the 25-minute mark we were getting on top and you would expect to pull away a bit but that’s what happens when you play three 25s.

"We will look at the good parts and the bad parts and take it to the next game and try to improve again.

"Momenum is everything. Everything we’re doing now is to lead up to Billingham."