WITH third-from-bottom visitors Rotherham Phoenix arriving with only 14 men, some of whom were second teamers, there was an inevitability about the result at promotion-chasing Baildon, who romped to a 62-0 victory.

The hosts needed a bonus-point win in what was a re-arranged match to climb over Knottingley by a point into second place in Yorkshire Division Three.

The Jenny Laners' fourth try - which clinched that extra point - came as early as the 36th minute, which was the start of a purple patch of three tries in six minutes up the famous slope.

However, Phoenix, managed by former Cleckheaton prop Sam Coy, dug in so effectively in the second half with their pick-and-drive tactics that they not only kept play in Baildon's half much more than they imagined but also gave themselves real hope of overhauling Skipton and staying in the division.

Baildon have now put themselves in prime position to be promoted but one player in their ranks knows all about the hardships of playing in Yorkshire Division Two.

Prop Pete Lowth was in the last Baildon team to play there in 2013-14 when, having been promoted the previous season as runners-up in Yorkshire Division Three, they then lost their coach Dave Duxbury (back on board now with his son Jake) and many of their players, lost 24 of their 26 matches and came straight back down.

Maybe the memory is still raw for the 45-year-old Lowth, who admitted: "I don't think that we are quite ready to go up as we don't have that strength in depth.

"Also the jump from Three to Two is massive in terms of skill level, but we will take it if it comes and happy days."

Lowth, who also played in RFU Junior Vase finals at Twickenham with Baildon in 2012 and 2013, was not ecstatic about his side's display against Rotherham Phoenix on a very windy day at Jenny Lane.

He said: "The fact that they did only have 14 men and we only scored 62 points says a lot about how we played.

"We definitely should have put a lot more on them but credit to them, and in the second half they were a different team.

"At half-time we spoke about how the weather was going to play a part, but it is easier playing up the hill into the wind at Baildon and we got stuck in our 22 and let them play their rugby.

"We never really got our hands on the ball to kick it into their 22. Maybe a few decisions didn't go our way but we got what we wanted out of the match and also conceded no points."

Phoenix had first use of the slope and wind and Baildon scrum half Jack O'Ryan knocked on receiving the kick-off.

The touch flags were blowing horizontally as the wind whipped into Baildon's faces but they made light of the supposed disadvantage to lead 36-0 at half-time, despite the best efforts of the visitors' back row of Josh Steeple, Glen Johnson and skipper and No 8 Tom Coy.

A Harrison Strauss break was a taste of things to come for the hosts, and his brother Luke was first on the scoresheet with a try after eight minutes after good work by full back Jake Duxbury and centre Matty Dixon.

Baildon's man of the match, winger Nathan King, doubled the advantage eight minutes later after good work by Luke Strauss, and King's crossfield run put Duxbury in for the third try after 21 minutes.

An incredible conversion by Duxbury into the teeth of the wind from near the right-hand touchline that went over via the bar made it 17-0, and Dixon was then cut down when through by a superb cover tackle by Phoenix's Logan Mair.

Then came Baildon's three tries in six minutes, with Duxbury scoring after running from deep and exchanging passes with lock Dan Fletcher; winger Will Sisney scoring after a 10-metre surge up the right by prop Adam Hewitt and No 8 Ollie Murphy scoring after a breakaway.

Duxbury converted two of them, and the stage looked set for a cricket score but Phoenix showed their mettle and tackled themselves to a virtual standstill in the second half.

The half began well for the home side with three tries in 11 minutes via Duxbury, Harrison Strauss, from a charge-down, and Dixon after a Duxbury break.

Duxbury again added two conversions but the visitors only conceded one more try in the remaining half-hour, with Luke Strauss going over in the 73rd minute for replacement Ollie Williams to convert.

Baildon's defence were also given a stern test, with Phoenix hammering away at their line for minutes and causing referee Chris Fongwah (Central Yorkshire Society) to yellow card Murphy after the whistler had three times had cause to speak to home skipper Harrison Strauss.

The Phoenix players certainly showed their commitment to the famous blue and purple colours of Rotherham, and skipper Coy - son of Sam - said: "I am very proud of the lads. We stuck at it all game and never gave up.

"It is just what we wanted, we enjoyed it and are looking forward to next weekend (home to Sheffield Medicals) and try and move forward.

"Unfortunately we couldn't score a try but I was very happy with everyone, and with the lads that we have got and the lads coming back - some were working and weren't available - we should be all right for staying up."