Hornets 8 - 17 Taunton RFC

Taunton kept alive their very slim chance of second spot with this scrappy win at windy Weston-super-Mare.

To secure the play-off place they need to win their remaining two matches - Brixham at home and Yatton away - and, very unlikely, Barnstaple would have to lose their home game against Yatton and away at Torquay.

Taunton completed the double over Hornets but it was a much closer call than when they met at Hyde Park on the opening day of the season. Nine tries in a 60pts -13 trouncing wasn't a bad start…

Travelling support for Taunton last Saturday was miniscule and dwarfed by the big and noisy crowd of home fans who turned up despite the forecasts of diabolical weather. Fortunately it was dry and the teams had just a strong wind to negotiate.

Taunton were soon ten points ahead. Fly half Matt Ayres landed a penalty and then converted prop Alan Lowe's try.

Hornets replied with an unconverted try before the interval.

Playing into the wind in the second session, the hosts, battling against relegation for a second season, raised their supporters' hopes with an early penalty but it was a false dawn.

The visitors' No.8, Tex Raratabu, who also scored a try in that sunny September opener, charged over again, his 10th touchdown of the season. Ayres converted to complete the scoring.

Dates for your diary:

County Cup Final - Taunton v Clevedon at Weston-super-Mare, Sunday April 6th 2:30pm

Colts County Cup Semi-Final - Taunton v Weston at Hyde Park, Taunton, Wednesday April 9th 7:30pm.

Bill Luckett