Camborne v Titans
Camborne v Titans
This match was billed as the top game in the league as the leaders were expected to move promotion hopes nearer, extending their lead as front runners. Taunton lay 4th and were showing momentum in the second half of the season writes Hugh Duder.
Camborne were first to score,after only 4 minutes, their heavy scrum driving over the line from a penalty and scrum drive. 7-0.
But within 2 minutes Taunton scored with Vakalutukali firing a short pass to Freddy Elliot who dotted downin the corner. 7-5. Camborne answered when their backline, moving the ball fast, doubled their score. 14-5. Tom Putt reliably kicked 2 penalties 14-11.
Then on 23 minutes Camborne attacked with pace, to score out wide adding the conversion 21-11 and three minutes later repeated the manoeuvre to out run Taunton’s defence 26-11. This was looking ominous but on 29 minutes they were on the attack - Toots making a break, finding Scott Gibson on his shoulder, who scored under the posts 26-18.
On 40 minutes great hands by Putt found Ben Rogers and a smart pick up by Archie Spokes, who ran 15 metres inunder the posts. Putt converting to add the extras and Taunton were now only a point down at half time 26-25. Game on.
Camborne scored first in the second half, coming after 15 minutes with a lineout catch and drive the conversion missed 31-25. By now with Ben Oliphant-Thompson, making his presence felt, giving impetus to the Titan’s scrum, Camborne seemed to lose their continuity. With 13 minutes left to play plus stoppage time, some determined defence by Taunton kept Camborne in the middle of the park. The team were remembering what the head coach said to them before the game “if you are in with a chance of winning 20 minutes out you will win the game!”. Ten minutes left and from just in the opposition half who else but Ratu Vakalutukali with ball in hand, fended a couple of tackles, put on the after burners, scoring a brilliant individual try doing what marines do “never late” an easy conversion and Taunton led 31-32.
With 6 minutes left, Putt kicked apenalty 31-35 and on 78 minutes another Putt penalty put the game practically to bed 31-38. The game re-started and from a scrum Camborne were penalised and that was the end.
A fantastic win for Taunton Titans, completing the double over league leaders Camborne. This was a huge result and to a man the squad were together as one with Ratu Vakalutukali nominated as the man of the match by the vociferous Titans supporters.
ps Camborne had until today gone unbeaten at home for 23 months.
This Saturday 21st March, TRFC at Summerfield Stadium celebrate Ladies Day. The game versus Lymm kicks off at 3 pm.
