Taunton RFC 17 - 22 Exmouth

After years of struggling against relegation, getting demoted twice - and bouncing back immediately from the dungeon of Western Counties (North) - it has been a pleasure this season to see Taunton knocking on the door of South West One.

Sadly, this was barely ajar, after top dogs Exmouth completed the double over them at Hyde Park with a remarkable second half fightback.

With 3 games left, Taunton, in third place, are seven points behind the Cockles and three adrift of Barnstaple who are in the play-off spot after winning 19-0 at Brixham.

Last week's match was the proverbial tale of two halves.

Taunton led 10-0 at the break. For 35 minutes it was end to end, helter skelter rugby, with errors galore and crucial tackles made by both defences.

The first score came after Simon Martin straightened the line in a midfield attack. He went to ground, Hamish Reeves whipped the ball wide and Pieter Tosen put Ben Rudkin into the left corner.

David Webber then touched down in the opposite corner after Reeves and Alan Gill combined to give him space. A tremendous scrummage shove had sent the Exmouth pack into reverse under their own posts and Chris Phillips had been held up near the try line before the release to the quicks.

Richard Cadywould twice almost put the visitors on the scoreboard before the change around. His drop kick attempt struck a post and a penalty kick had the direction but not the legs.

He made up for it in the second session with a drop goal to open their account and converted two of their tries. They levelled when a charge-down of Matt Ayres' attempted clearance ricocheted under the posts for Paul Morgan to finish off.

Next over the line was Ollie Turton, the beneficiary of a well controlled lineout drive and release.

Exmouth's final score came when Taunton won their own scrummage but lost possession and Gary Hooper sniped under the posts.

Taunton were playing catch-up but could not break down the Cockles' defence until the very end when Ayres wriggled through for a consolation try and conversion. Too little, too late.

P.S. Earlier this season, I bleated about mismatches in the lower reaches of the Somerset leagues.

If ever evidence of this was needed, the power that be should look at Somerset Two (S) results last Saturday.

Hornets won at Morganians 93-0, Tor put 90 points on Somerton and Taunton II's away day at Wells was mercifully halted after an hour with the visitors 171-0 ahead.

In 17 games this season they have racked up 1,254 points against 110. No good for them, their luckless opponents or the spectators.

Hopefully, next season things will be more balanced?

Bill Luckett