Classy Nottingham crush Rotherham

There was a great atmosphere and everyone had a lot of energy to make it a great spectacle

Ali Williams

An Ali Williams-inspired Nottingham recorded a sixth successive league win with a stylish 37-8 victory over Rotherham at Meadow Lane on Tuesday.

The Green & Whites struggled to cut loose in the first half and only led 8-3 at the break, thanks to a Tim Streather try and James Arlidge kick.

But Nottingham tore apart the Titans after the turnaround.

Andy Savage added a classy second try and Ben Johnston, Ben Buxton and Don Blake crossed to secure a bonus point.

All-Black star Williams, making the last of his four appearances in his short-term spell before returning to New Zealand for the start of the Super 15, described the performance as "fantastic".

"There was a great atmosphere and everyone had a lot of energy to make it a great spectacle; it was brilliant," Williams added.

The Kiwi was imperious at the line-out and influential at the scrum but Nottingham were far from a one-man show, turning in arguably their best team performance of the season.

A marvellous second half saw the hosts run away from a Rotherham team, who have enjoyed recent victories over third-placed Cornish Pirates and fourth-placed London Welsh.

But the game started slowly and even Streather's fifth try in four league games, after some slick handling, failed to ignite a disjointed first half which was littered by a series of unforced errors.

However, whatever director of rugby Glenn Delaney said to his players at half-time certainly worked, as his side then blew Rotherham away.

Savage scored on his 100th first-team appearance following quick hands from the Nottingham backline and Arlidge added the extras, which was quickly followed by his second penalty of the match.

The novelty of live broadcasting allowed a video replay on a Nottingham attack, but videos showed Rotherham held the ball up.

Johnston and Buxton then both crashed over for Delaney's side, the video replay again in function as Buxton's clear try was eventually awarded.

Full-back David Jackson was in fine form for the home side

Ryan Burrows added a late consolation try for Rotherham but more dominance by the forwards in the line-out and scrum set the platform for a brilliant final score for the home side.

Given time and space on the right-wing, Arlidge showed great vision and wonderful execution with a teasing, high cross-field kick, which was commandingly won by Blake. Arlidge again added the conversion to seal the win.

The win strengthens Nottingham's position in fifth spot but they face a tough run-in to improve their place going into the play-offs.

Delaney's men face all of the top four in the coming weeks, starting with an away fixture against second-placed Bedford on Saturday.