Taunton Titans v Cinderford

Cinderford kicked off the game in front of a crowd of over 800 on a dull but dry afternoon. The Titans secured the ball and drove into the Cinderford half. For the first seven-minutes of the game the Titans dominated possession and territory but conceded a penalty which allowed Cinderford to clear their lines and encroach into the Titans half for the first time.

A second penalty conceded on the ten-minute mark and Cinderford convert the kick to take a three-points to nil lead completely against the run of play. The Titans continued to pressurise Cinderford with some very good phases of play but the defence held firm until Troy Jackson made the break before being brought down and Cinderford conceding the penalty in the process. Troy had to leave the pitch and Matt Whitlock came on as the replacement. Tom Putt kicked the penalty from the infringement and the scores were level. From the re-start the Titans conceded a penalty and Cinderford kicked to touch, but the ball was kept in, In their attempt to clear their line, the Titans kick was charged down by Cinderford and their second-row Tyler Jerrum was able to score the try. With the conversion missed Cinderford now had a five-point lead.

This lasted just five-minutes as Will Holmes switched the direction of play for the Titans seeing Matt Whitllock racing into the line down the blind side. His incisive break created the space for the electrifying burst through by Freddie Elliott to race away and score the try. Tom Putt converted and the Titans now held a two-point lead. With under ten-minutes of the half left the Titans conceded their sixth penalty of the game so far and Cinderford with their trademark kick to touch, catch and drive score the try, which was not converted, and they were back to a three-point lead. Almost from the restart Cinderford conceded the penalty which would level the scores; however, it was surprisingly missed.

In the dying seconds of the first half Cinderford attacked and with a clever kick through Fullback Callum McCabe was able to score the try and with the conversion missed, the half-finished Titans 10 Cinderford 18.

The Titans kicked off for the second half and Cinderford conceded the penalty. Tom Putt stepped up and converted reducing the Titans deficit. Just five-minutes later and Titans conceded the penalty which Cinderford converted. With twenty-five minutes of the game left yet another penalty conceded by the Titans and yet again the kick to touch with the driving maul and a try which was this time converted. The way Cinderford were defending there seemed no way back from this for the Titans but some clever interplay released Tom Putt to go in for the try which he converted. Whilst the Titans continued to attack the Cinderford line their defence managed to hold out until the last minute of the game when they conceded a penalty. The conversion would have given the Titans a valuable point in the league but sadly it drifted just wide and the game finished Titans 20 Cinderford 28.

Next week is just a short trip up the motorway to Old Redcliffians who sit one place above the Titans in the league and support for the team would be invaluable. For those who would like a slightly shorter journey the Warriors are just up the road at Hornets in Weston-Super-Mare. Whichever you may want to choose all of the players would really appreciate your support.

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