It was a bright and breezy day in Weston-super-Mare but not for Taunton Titans who went down 57-22 to a strong, well-organised Hornets outfit playing on an artificial pitch at The Nest, Hugh Duder writes.
On 11 minutes, a lost lineout handed Hornets possession and they scored a converted try. 7-0.
Four minutes later, Archie Spokes replied for Titans with Tom Putt converting. 7-7.
The penalty count against the visitors was rising as was the Hornets’ score as they made it 14-7. Titans hit back with a penalty. 14-10.
Titans’ outside half was shown a yellow card on 28 minutes. More penalties were conceded and Hornets doubled their score and went in leading 28-10 at half time.
Two minutes after the break, Hornets increased their lead. 35-10. Dan Martin got one back for Taunton to make it 35-17.
On 50 minutes, some messy passing led to Hornets pouncing to make it 42-17. They then created an overlap and increased their score. 47-17.
Taunton got one back as ‘Toots’ Vakalutukali scored to make it 47-22 and with it gave his team the incentive for a try bonus point.
But Hornets were having none of that, scoring twice more,determined to send Taunton home pointless. 52-22 became 57-22.
The tide was out and so was Taunton’s luck. Discipline being the main culprit which they will have to work on before the visit of Hinkley at the newly-renamed Summerfield Stadium on Saturday (September 20). Kick off at 3pm.