Taunton RFC 60 - 13 Hornets

What a cracking start to the new season!

A big crowd, bright sunshine and a playing surface fit for bowls, plus a statement of intent from the team - watch us, we are going places.

No complacency, just realism and an air of quiet confidence.

Weston-Super-Mare based Hornets ran into a super-fit side who had power and mobility up front, pace to spare in the backs and an 8,9,10 combination that ran the game.

Taunton were 24 points up in as many minutes.

Speedster Alan Gill burnt off the cover in the second minute to score under the posts. John Martin converted, landed a penalty and was to slot another five conversions before the end.

An overthrown Hornets' lineout then presented player-coach Danny Thomas with an open goal, five metres out - five more points. Next up was Tex Raratabu with a charge from a scrummage on halfway, after the visitors' restart kick failed to reach 10 metres.

Shell-shocked Hornets regrouped and had their best period of the match. Wes Palmer muscled his way to the corner. The kick was off target as were two earlier penalty attempts - Cody Rhys made amends with his third.

Taunton started the second session with a bang. Two very well controlled lineout drives in the away 22 produced the same result - tries for "Boschie" Muller.

The second restart cost Hornets another 7 points. Scott Baker ran the kick back and linked with Ben Rudkin who scored near the sticks.

Some cavalier Taunton passing was then snapped up by visitors' Paul Shepherd whose try in the corner was unconverted. Cue an onslaught by Taunton in the last 10 minutes. First, Etienne van den Brink dummied over, then Baker put Rudkin in for his second touchdown. To put icing on the proverbial cake, Baker outsprinted the cover for Taunton's ninth try.

Devon referee, Brian Barclay, had the trust of both sets of players and played his part in the fast flowing action.

Match sponsors: Coors Brewery

Team: S. Baker; A. Gill, B. Hunt, S. Martin, B. Rudkin; J. Martin, H. Reeves; T. Raratabu, D. Thomas, P. Tosen (capt.), J. Lamb, R. Seaton, D. Morton, B. Muller, B. Moon
Replacements: E. van de Brink, G. Arnold, A. Low

Both the seconds and thirds racked up massive scores against their Tor counterparts. Not good for either club and the sooner the relative authorities sort out the shambles of the "league" system that provides these mis-matches, the better.

Bill Luckett