Reigning champions Athens continued their impressive start to the Greek championship with a 24-3 win over Rhodes in round 4.

Two tries in each half were enough to win a scrappy game against the side that have been runners-up for the last two seasons.

Playing under the watchful eye of national coach Niall Doherty, Athens had the better of the set pieces but failed to impose themselves on the hosts.

Full-back Mike Loizou, vying for a place in the Cyprus side, scored the opening try after fine work from Georgos Tsartsaronis, playing at inside centre.

Loizou added the conversion and added another when Greece centre Michael Artemis - playing his first game for Athens - snatched an intercept to race in for the second try.

Rhodes full-back Rudy Thompson reduced the arrears with a penalty before the break but unfortunately the Scotsman had an offish day with the boot, missing three other kickable chances.

The second half disintegrated in quality and saw two yellow cards - one on either side. Athens always had the edge, though, and further tries from stand-off Grigol Mishvildadze and a second for Artemis wrapped up their fourth win in four outings.

Athens now have 12 points from four games, two ahead of Attica Springboks who beat Spartans 48-20 at Glyka Nera.

In the two northern games, Iraklis collected their first win of the season when they beat Mecedones Evosmos 22-10 while Spartakos delivered the latest thrashing for struggling Trikala, winning 70-0.

Trikala have now conceded over 200 points without yet putting one on the board.