Taunton RFC 49 - 7 Clevedon

Taunton dismantled Clevedon with an unstoppable first half performance, the most complete seen at Hyde Park, against a team, who until last Saturday, were level pegging with them in the league.

Forwards and backs combined superbly to run up 44 points in 35 minutes, with barely a mistake made in wave after wave of attacking rugby. Six tries were the result of an irresistible force which left Clevedon shell shocked.

The game started quietly with fly half Jon Martin's two penalties punishing visitors' transgressions before the flood gates opened.

Taunton, for the second time, destroyed Clevedon's scrummage and, three phases of play later, slick handling was finished off by No.8 Tom O'Keefe.

A poor cross kick then found right winger Ben Rudkin, who waved a thank you en route to the corner. Martin converted.

Next up was lock Ross Seaton, in support of left wing David Webber's run - he dived over from close range.

Taunton were out of sight, 23 points in 15 minutes, but by no means done.

Another mesmeric bout of handling, first one way, then the other, gave Rudkin his second try, a sprint down the touchline and around to the posts. Martin converted this and the next two scores.

First, he delicately chipped behind the cover, setting up his brother Simon's try, after a strong assist by Ben Hunt, his co-centre and then O'Keefe claimed his second from a pushover scrum on the right wing, neatly christened (with apologies to Redruth RFC) by a former police prop as "Hyde Fire Corner".

Ominously, for the last five minutes of the half, Clevedon launched a series of pick and drives, plus a tap penalty charge at the home line but were denied a score.

They continued in the same vein throughout the third quarter after coach Mike Rafter's interval chat suggested they should play for their pride.

But only once did they manage to breach Taunton's defences when a tap penalty set up No.8 James Shopland to crash over. Scrum half Steve Johnson converted.

Taunton gradually fought back into contention. Both O'Keefe and Rudkin (twice) came close to their hat tricks but there were no further scores until Webber dived into the corner to bring down the curtain on a fascinating contest.

Bill Luckett