Taunton 18 - Worthing 22 (Match Report)

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Taunton fell just short of a well-deserved victory when they suffered a narrow 18-22 defeat to league leaders Worthing Raiders at Hyde Park on Saturday.

A sizeable crowd of over 800 were treated to a bruising encounter with very little to separate the two sides over the eighty minutes. Following recent results, both sides came into the game on a high with Worthing pushing Richmond for the top spot and Taunton looking to capitalise on their recent revival of form. If there was to be a chance of getting the shock result of the weekend this was it. It was so nearly to be the case.

From the kick off it was the visitors who started the better of the two sides and they applied early pressure on Taunton. A promising attack was ended but the referee deemed the defence to be offside, gifting an early penalty attempt for the league’s top points scorer Matt McLean. He duly stepped up to open the scoring for Worthing.

Taunton began to settle into the game and repelled further threats from Worthing. Their commitment at the breakdown was clear for all to see, and when Sean Fox made the turnover they had a chance with the ball in hand. The ball was kept alive well and great hands from both forwards and backs saw the ball reach Reuben Haile and the abrasive winger scored his fifteenth of the season. Tony Yapp converted to give Taunton the lead.

Haile looked like he was going to score again barely two minutes after his earlier effort. A desperate defence scrambled back and did just enough to keep him out before stepping offside in the following play and Yapp stepped up to extend the lead by a further three points.

The slick distribution from Joe Bartlett and the controlling influence of playmaker Yapp got the back line moving, and strong running from the midfield pairing of Jason Luff and Christian Gervais made ground for Taunton. It was unfortunate when a loose pass was picked off by the hard working Worthing skipper Matt Miles, and the hooker sprinted thirty metres to score under the posts. McLean added the extras and the scores were level again.

It was in less opportunistic circumstances when Worthing regained the lead five minutes later through a well worked score. After a spell of possession near the Taunton line they eventually found the gap in the defence and second row Will Stutchbury drove his way over the line to touch down. McLean was unable to add the conversion in the blustery conditions.

The physicality was now taking its toll on both sides, with Taunton the first team forced to make a change when they lost Luff to injury. The moustachioed marauder was replaced by youngster Jack Claydon, a late addition to the Taunton bench. Worthing then lost Stutchbury to a yellow card following repeated infringements as Taunton once again worked their way into the red zone.

Taunton promptly set up camp on the Worthing line looking for a score before the break. Yapp was the first to go close before Sonny Haines pumped his legs to drive over the line only for a Worthing body to get underneath the ball. Dave Bufton repeated this shortly after only for the defence to do enough to again hold the ball up.

It was to be third time lucky when Fox picked up from the base of the ruck and spotted space wide out on the right. The skipper rounded everyone to slide in and get Taunton back on level terms. Yapp could only watch as his conversion attempt was held up by the wind.

With first half injury time underway the visitors had a chance to add a penalty to the scoreboard but again McLean could not convert. Reflective of the performances, both sides would go in at the half time break with nothing to separate them level on 15 points each.

The second half saw the introduction of former skipper Nick Burnett and he immediately made an impact with a huge hit on one of the Worthing props. Taunton built on their momentum and Gervais continued to make ground with strong running before the last line in the Worthing defence ended his superb break with a high tackle. McLean was the second Worthing recipient of a yellow card and Yapp slotted the ensuing penalty to give Taunton the lead once more.

Taunton could have found themselves a further six points ahead but for the tricky kicking conditions. Another high tackle on Gervais afforded Yapp a further shot at goal but his kick into the wind was unsuccessful. A drop goal attempt followed, but once again the wind played its part in ensuring that the ball did not bisect the posts.

Clever kicking from Yapp continued to give Taunton the field position from which to threaten their guests’ try line. Oli Marriott showed handling skill to keep the ball alive and provided an additional link between forwards and backs on numerous occasions. The diminutive Claydon was unfortunate not to add a score when he skirted around the left flank only to be stopped short by the Worthing defence.

Worthing cleared their lines and forced a penalty on half way. When a second quick tap was impeded by Bartlett the scrum half received the third yellow card of the afternoon. Worthing used their extra man advantage to attack the Taunton line and patient build up was rewarded when replacement Fernado Iraizoz burrowed his way over the line. McLean converted to give Worthing a four-point lead.

This set up a pulsating finale that had the crowd on the edge of their seats. No sooner had Bartlett returned for Taunton, Worthing were reduced to fourteen men when Charlie McGowan received a red card for a soft punch on Burnett right in front of the referee.

Taunton searched for the try that would secure victory, and set up camp on the Worthing line once more. The forwards patiently hammered away at the fringes before the ball would be spread to shift the point of attack. Taunton’s ball retention would set the process up again and again but credit must go to the stoical Worthing defence. To a man they threw everything, as they had done all afternoon, into defence to keep the home side out and when the ball was lost forward over the line they were relieved to be travelling home with a hard fought four points to take them to the top of the table. Full time score 18-22.

It was a thrilling and physical encounter with very little between the two teams. Maybe a small feeling that this result is one that got away, but the warm acknowledgement from the supporters for both sides was fully deserved. The improvement over recent weeks continues and having pushed the league leaders so close is testament to where the young squad are now. The belief that they can live with the best in the league will be a big lift for them going into their next fixture away to Launceston on 3rd December.

The County Stores sponsored man of the match for Taunton was awarded to Christian Gervais.