An attack that went through countless phases in the Rovers’ 22 got them going and the visitors did well to keep them out before their concentration lapsed following an injury-stoppage. From the resulting scrum 20 metres out, City stand-off Paul Armstrong shot through a gap to score under the posts and converted for a 7 – 0 lead after 30 minutes.

They quickly followed it up, centre Chris Metcalfe taking an inside pass from scrum-half Will Paxton for b their second try which Armstrong again converted, and whilst Rovers got on the scoreboard with a penalty by stand-off Daz Fawcett, by the interval they trailed 21 – 3, a fine crossfield City attack ending with centre Brad Pears stepping well to score in the left corner and Armstrong again adding the extras.

As the game progressed, the City pack became more dominant and Rovers struggled to live with the pace of the home attacks. Pears added his second try straight after half-time, chipping ahead and recovering the ball to score before Rovers responded with a series of attacks in front of City’s posts and flanker Tyrone Church fed lock Burnside for a try which Fawcett converted.

It only served to spark City again however. Pears completed his hat-trick, weaving his way through from 35 metres from a Metcalfe half-break and offload, No. 8 Peter Dent finished off some fine offloading initiated by replacement Howard Johnson for their sixth try, Metcalfe forced his way over for his second and finally, a good run by hooker Mark Davison and more impressive offloading sent flanker Craig Dominick through for the final try.

Three of City’s second-half tries were duly converted by Armstrong to give his side a convincing win.

CITY: Phil Stewart; Tom Elliott, Brad Pears, Chris Metcalfe, David Elliott; Paul Armstrong (c), Will Paxton, Colin Hogg, Mark Davison, Benny Parkinson, Kevin Showler, Dan Holden, Paddy Dias, Craig Dominick, Peter Dent.

Replacements : Mike Hay, Howard Johnson, Tom Jones.