Barnstaple 0 - 8 Taunton RFC

Taunton completed a rare treble in North Devon last Saturday.

The first win came in October at Hyde Park - the Intermediate Cup - 29/6. Four weeks later, in the league, they repeated the dose, 19/6. But the latest, against the second placed club, was arguably the best, taking as well their unbeaten home record, which had stood for a season and a half.

It also keeps Taunton in touch with the league leaders, restoring confidence after a draw and two defeats halted a run of eight wins.

A remarkable statistic from this trio of matches: in four hours of action, Taunton did not concede a single try. Barnstaple's meagre return was just four penalty goals.

Taunton's excellent defence was tested to the full again and came up trumps. It was all hands to the pumps in the last quarter of Saturday's rearranged match as they fought to protect their slender lead.

Fly half Jon Martin was back on song once more, his positional kicking spot on and his distribution much improved.

After he put Taunton ahead with an early penalty, the forwards produced an exceptional performance in all phases. Worthy of mention was tight head prop, Chris Phillips, standing in for David Morton who was playing in a Scotland U'20s trial.

Phillips was a rock, anchoring the scrums and doing his bit around the field, slotting seamlessly into the action after a long spell in the second XV.

Taunton came close to a further score when winger Ben Rudkin, set up by Martin, was cut down just short of the try line. But they made up for it when, 10 minutes into the second half, a superb forwards' drive saw off Barnstaple.

From a lineout just inside the home half, Taunton mounted one of their trademark driving mauls which have produced tries throughout the season but usually from closer range.

The opposition were powerless as it rumbled downfield to the corner where the skipper, flanker Pieter Tosen, claimed his first try of the campaign.

Taunton's blanket defence did the rest and the travelling support breathed a collective sigh of relief at the final whistle.

Bill Luckett