Taunton Titans v Exeter University

Exeter University kicked of the first of the 2025/26 season games in National League 2 in front of a large crowd of 1281 people at the newly named Summerfield Stadium.  Benjamin Oliphant-Thompson in his 150^th game for the Titans rose majestically to catch the only ball, only to be taken in the air and dumped unceremoniously on his back.  It took a few minutes for him to recover but in his own committed and inevitable style he recovered to continue in the game.  Tom Putt kicked the penalty  missing touch but some good following up secured the ball for the Titans close to the Exeter line and the driving maul was on. Several recycles and with only 3 minutes gone on the clock hooker and “Man of the Match”  Archie Spokes went in for the first of his 4 tries.  Tom added the extras and the Titans had a seven-point lead.  For the next fifteen minutes the Titans were starved of ball and the University players attacked with relentless pace and accuracy it was only some outstanding defence that the line was not broken.  It did however result in a number of penalties being conceded and on 7, 11 and 15 minutes the Exeter number 10 Freddie Hirst converted these penalties to take Exeter into the lead.  More possession to Exeter but they gave away a penalty on 18 minutes and Tom Putt kicked to the corner.  Sam Leworthy secured the lineout and the Titans drove at the line with Archie Spokes securing his second try which Tom converted and a 14-point to 9 lead. Again, the Titans gave away penalties to allow Exeter possession and again they tested the Titans defence creating overlaps and credit must be given to Nick Mason who on numerous occasions continued his running to tackle that man on the overlap saving what could have been several scoring chances.  However, with the penalty count mounting Exeter won another penalty which Hirst converted. The next penalty they opted to kick for touch and from a quick throw in Exeter secured the ball and drove to the line for the try and unusually Hirst missed the conversion but it gave Exeter a three-point lead.   With the half-time whistle coming the Titans gained some possession down the left wing and with very little room and a number of  defenders Henry Webb broke through the tackles only to be brought own short of the line.  From the ruck Taunton were deemed offside and a penalty to Exeter kicked into touch brought the half to a close.

The Titans kicked off for the second half and it became obvious that the coaching team for Exeter had highlighted some opportunities to change their game plan to their advantage.  From fielding the ball and three re-cycles at close quarters the ball came to number 10 Hirst who instead of the quick passing which had been going on along the three-quarter line, he put in a deft kick just over the defenders between two of the back three and second row Felix Starkey gathered the ball and ran in unopposed under the posts with Hirst converting.  Just two minutes after that event the Titans went on the attack and Archie Spokes this time appeared in the centre and with pace went through the gap for the try which Tom converted.  Almost from the re-start and another penalty from Hirst and the lead was extending. Exeter had changed their game plan and were hoisting high kicks which they were chasing down and forcing Titan’s mistakes.  They won a penalty and kicked to touch.  It was very noticeable that the Exeter hooker was not getting behind the ball but walking up the touchline so that he was at the lineout ready with the ball to have a quick throw in and it was working not allowing the Titans to settle and read the lineouts.  Exeter secured the ball and drove to the line for their prop Tom Gulley to score the try which Hirst converted.  63-minutes and another penalty for Hirst and with just 16-minutes left the Titans had a 16-point deficit.  The Titans then had something which they had been deprived of for 70% of the game, possession.  They stopped kicking from the ruck; the recycling was quicker Tom Putt had more time and space which got a quicker ball to Nick Mason who broke the tackles and was able to feed on to Andrew Humberstone who took the pass from Nick’s break and stormed in for the try and the try bonus point.  Tom converted.  Just nine-points adrift.  Possession again from the kick off and the Titans are looking after the ball and Exeter are giving away penalties.  The Titans kick to the corner, the lineout won and the drive starts, Archie Spokes has possession and scores his fourth try of the game which Tom converts.  Just two points needed with three minutes to go. The Titans attack into the Exeter 22 metre area from another good snipe by Scott Gibson, Tom Putt has put himself in the pocket and the ball comes back for his drop goal attempt but a lurking Felix Starkey gets the charge down and Exeter clear to save the game.  So close with the final score Taunton Titans 35 Exeter University 37.

Next week the Titans have that short trip up the motorway to Weston-Super-Mare to play Hornets and we look to see as many of you as possible.   At Summerfield Stadium will be the Warriors who after last weeks performance will be looking to improve even more when they entertain Bridgwater and Albion.  Your support for those unable to go to Weston will be greatly appreciated