The game started off pretty evenly, as both sides, who started off on -17 points last season probed to seek a way through. In truth it was an entertaining, end-to-end opening 45 minutes as both sides produced good flowing football.
Instrumental for the Cherries was Liam Feeney who had a great battle with Ritherham's Jamie Green as Feeney was encouraged forward down the Cherries right. It was a fascinating encounter!
Inspite of the Millers possession and neat passing play, they did fail to force Jalal in to making too many serious saves.
The break through came just before the half time whistle. Pitman was fouled on the left hand side, which saw a free kick taken by Cummings. he delivered it to the right where Breadbury turned over a cross for Ryan Garry to score his first goal in a Cherries shirt.
In truth, the Cherries could have taken the lead long before Garry's header. Pitman and Fletcher both had clear cut headers that either went just wide or forced their keeper in to making a save!
The second half was equally entertaining, but this time, a few niggles started to show, which eventually saw the yellow card produced by the ref to try and calm things down.
Rotherham were to within a whisker of levelling as they saw the ball shave the outside of the post in front of the North Stand and looked sharp with debutant Adam Le Fondre creating space for a smart shot on the turn.
And it was Le Fondre who created the best chance to equalise when he slid the ball across for fellow sub Mixcky Cummins after spinning his marker, but Cummins failed to connect and the ball whistled across goal to safety as the home side saw out five minutes of stoppage time.