Taunton 27 - Southend 49 (Match Report)

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It was an unwelcome return to previous form as Taunton suffered a disappointing 27-49 defeat to a dogged Southend side at Hyde Park on Saturday.

On the back of the previous weeks result against Hertford there was an optimistic feeling about the afternoons challenge ahead. The recent reprise was short lived and the optimism slowly drained as the game progressed despite an improvement in the set piece and penalty count.

From the off Taunton found themselves on the back foot in the opening exchanges with Southend desperate to avenge the last encounters between the two sides. They immediately set up good field position forcing the home side to desperately defend their line and within five minutes they had opened the scoring. Joe Vandermolen was driven over from close range with Simon Hoult converting.

Taunton replied with a Gary Kingdom penalty before Southend again had the home side camped on their own line. The defence around the fringes was good but the gaps started to appear further out allowing Vandermolen to burrow over for another try. Hoult again converted to extend their lead with barely ten minutes on the clock.

A response was almost instant as the home side began to put some phases together and force Southend to defend for the first time. They combined well with the backline making some crucial yardage and the forwards working hard to recycle the ball quickly. Sam Blanchett crossed for Taunton’s first try of the afternoon but Kingdom could only watch his conversion attempt bounce back off the upright.

The rest of the half saw territory and possession switch between the two with little between them. Southend full back Daniel Cleare crossed for a score following a neat move from his backline which stretched the home defence. Hoult once again added extra points with the conversion.

Taunton replied on the stroke of half time when Jason Luff managed to force his way over for his fifth try of the season. This time the conversion was a formality for Kingdom making it a seven pointer although Taunton trailed 15-21 at the break with all still to play for.

The opening twenty minutes of the second half will be another one that Taunton would do well to forget. Another four Southend scores took the game beyond the home side and leaving the home support frustrated with by the seemingly split personality of their team with their tendencies to shift from the sublime to the ridiculous continuing.

Hoult’s centre partner Christopher Vaughan was the first to cross with Vandermolen claiming his third, both within ten minutes of the restart. Cleare bagged the second of his brace with Hoult maintaining his 100% kicking record adding all three conversions before being replaced.

His replacement Martin Freeman added to Taunton’s woes by also going over for a try within minutes of coming on. Jack Jones added the conversion and the game was effectively won for the visiting side.

However, it was Taunton who finished the match the stronger of the two sides and who would have had money on Reuben Haile not adding to his seasons try scoring tally? The powerful winger scored the first of his brace in customary style with Kingdom adding the conversion.

The final ten minutes was a niggling affair and on a number of occasions the referee had to assert himself on proceedings. The most telling of which saw Southend reduced to fourteen men for the remainder of the game when flanker Alan Barker received a yellow card after repeated infringements.

Taunton got a valuable try scoring bonus point when Haile added the fourth taking him to eleven for the season. Once again a visiting defence struggled to contain him and he battled his way over the whitewash. Kingdom was narrowly wide with the conversion attempt making the scores 27-49 which is how it was to remain until the final whistle.

The improved scrum was clearly a positive and the timely return of Jon Gatford in the wake of injury to Rob Beddard was welcomed. The penalty count was also improved and another positive to take from the game.

Aside from the odd supporting role, the main source of points continues to come from the experienced Luff and ever-impressive Haile currently supported by the boot of Kingdom in Tony Yapp’s absence. Gaining try scoring bonus points could prove crucial but concerns remain about the lapses in concentration and the number of tries that are conceded.

So, once again there are positives but plenty to work on in preparation for next match away to Old Albanians.