Baildon started their season with a bang after a 48-22 home win over Rotherham Phoenix in the Yorkshire Silver Trophy.

Phoenix took the lead with a brace of tries through powerful forward work in the opening ten minutes. However Baildon, who had crumbled so many times before in similar situations, rallied back and, through smart tactical play, worked their way upfield before unleashing fly-half Oli Waddington, who sliced through the visitors' defence to touch down under the posts.

Buoyed by this, Baildon recorded a further four unanswered tries through organised play and support work. Second row Tom Peel brushed off four defenders on his 60-metre gallop to the line, while Tom Christie powered over to finish a spectacular series of offloads.

Rotherham rallied in the second half as Baildon blooded some less experienced players, to narrow the scoreline to 34-22.

However inside centre Matt Withers linked up with a pass from Waddington to power over and put the match to bed. Joe Moore completed a hat-trick, leaping to snatch a Baildon up and under out of the air and racing to the line. There was a late controversial yellow card against try-scorer Peel for not rolling away in the ruck.

Baildon now look forward with renewed confidence to an exciting league campaign with their first home league clash against Northallerton next week.