A big Rotherham side came to Westleigh Park in good form having lost only one game from their opening five rounds. The Lions played some excellent attacking rugby but were unable to hold on to their half time lead as eventually the strong Rotherham pack took control of the contest.

The visitors started well and their early dominance was rewarded with a driving maul score from hooker Bergmanas after 5 minutes but the Lions hit back almost immediately through a Tom Threlfall penalty following pressure from Ethan Godefroy at the breakdown (3-5).

The Lions then took the lead on 13 minutes through an excellent move that saw the ball transferred from one edge to the other. A wide ball from Joe Brock sent Jack Edwards clear and superb handling between George Pearson and Joe Brock in support sent Aaron Pope over in the corner. Threlfall added the difficult extras from out wide (5-10).

Rotherham drew level midway through the first half when, after some exerted pressure on the Lions line, the ball was slung wide for full-back Du Rant to score (10-10).

The Lions were enjoying the majority of possession and territory though and regained the lead on 25 minutes when Threlfall made a break from a lineout play. He found Simon Johnson who offloaded to James Stubbs on a good support line to go in under the posts. Threlfall converted again (17-10).

An unfortunate incident after half an hour then changed the game. As the ever impressive Pearson leapt to claim a box kick he collided with Threlfall who had to leave the field due to a head injury. He was replaced by Rafe Witheat who took up his usual wing position so Joe Brock moved to fly half and Jake Sterland moved inside to the centre position.

Although the Lions had been the better side in the first half, it was one-way traffic in the second half as the big Rotherham pack took control and the make-shift Lions back line were unable to find the continuity that they showed in the first period.

Rotherham’s strong set piece meant they were dominating territory and the Lions were unable to get out of their own half. The visitors drew level again on 49 minutes, following some more pressure on the Lions line, through a strong carry from centre Hayes. (17-17).

The visitors then took the lead on the hour when scrum half Bruzulier snuck over in the corner from close quarters and the lead was pushed out to 10 points with a Hedley penalty on 70 minutes (17-27).

With the Lions chasing at least a bonus point they attempted to attack from deep a number of times but errors and ill-discipline kept them pinned back and it was Rotherham who got the last score when winger Hedley crossed with the last play of the game to put a somewhat unfair reflection on the scoreline (17-34).

Head coach Gareth Collins commented: ''A pretty frustrating afternoon really. We played well first half but unfortunately we came away from that second half and it really played in to the hands of a much bigger and experienced Rotherham side. The injury [to Tom Threlfall] didn't help clearly as we lost a bit of our shape. I can't fault the effort of our lads but we must stick to our plan for the full 80 if we're going to beat a top side like Rotherham.''