Taunton Titans v Loughborough Students

“You may not have won the league but you are certainly top for facilities and hospitality” were the pre-match comments made by the Loughborough President. This is great reputation to have in any league.  260 sat down to lunch and added to the other spectators a crowd of 1014 enjoyed a thrilling match.

The Titans demonstrated their game plan within the first ten minutes by dominating possession as without the ball Loughborough would be restricted from an expansive game.  The first possession Loughborough had they were able to burst through but some excellent chasing back by Ben Heath and finally Dan Martin not only showed how quick they both are but their determination to keep the students out.  The Titans continued with possession domination and running at the students.  On 25-minutes centre Isaac Campbell-Wu made the half break with a hand off. Rolled in the next tackle and off loaded to “Toots” in support.  Our other player from the Pacific Islands, hooker Vaea (Elvis) Taione, the “grandfather” of the side, was in support and scored the try for Louie Sinclair to convert.  The front five acting as first receiver and driving at the opposition were tying in the pacey students and causing them to concede penalties and on 34-minutes Louie kicked the penalty to extend the lead to 10-points.  The Titans “rush” defence was stopping the students making any headway and the chip over the top was well marshalled by the back three of Dan Martin, Henry Webb and Ben Heath and so Loughborough’s very talented outside half Ben Taylor produced a grubber kick on36-minutes for Loughborough centre Cross to race on to and score the try which Taylor converted.  Almost from there start Loughborough conceded the penalty and Loui put the ball into touch.  The ever-majestic Sam Leworthy who dominated the lineout won the ball to set up the maul.  The ever-alert Toots quickly moved the ball around the touchline for Elvis to gather and run in for the try which Louie converted.  The half ended with the Titans leading 17-points to 7.

Loughborough kicked off to start the second half and completely out jumped the Titans defence to win the ball however in moving the ball wide they knocked it on and the Titans had the scrum which they won.  Moving the ball the Titans then knock on and the referee allows the advantage which Loughborough duly accepted for Godsall to score the try which Taylor converted.  Just three-minutes later and Dan Martin bursts into the line for the try which Louie converts and the ten-pointadvantage is again restored.  This lead only lasts for five-minutes when we saw the devastating pace of Loughborough wing Tom Rowe score for Taylor again to convert.  Just three-minutes later and this time we seethe pace of the Titans own number 14 who coupled with his dancing feet left the opposition groping at shadows before racing away for a try under the posts for Louie to convert.  It was on 67-minutesthat the Titans other wing Henry Webb, who had gone close on several occasions, this time outpaced the opposition defence to score the try which Louie converted and there became a 17-point lead with just twelve minutes left.  The students did not roll over and just two minutes later Tom Rowe went in for his second try of the afternoon which Taylor converted and then almost from the re-start Loughborough centre Kean scored Loughborough’s fifth try for Taylor to convert and the Titans with eight minutes left had a slender 3-point lead. It was then that the experience of Elvis who orchestrated, ably supported by “Man of the Match” Ben Oliphant Thompson coupled with Sam Leworthy and Sam Prior used all of their strength, power and experience to retain possession and run down the clock to secure an excellent win and keep the Titans in third place in the league.

The game brought to the end the career of Sam Prior who has served the club well over the last thirteen years and we give him pour thanks.  It was also a game of opportunity and demonstrated pathways within the club.  Ten of the twenty player squad played for the Warriors this year showing the pathway to the top.  It was 19years old Ollie Guest’s first game and a credit to him having come through the juniors to get this cap and also having spent several weeks side lined with a broken collar bone suffered whilst playing for the Warriors.  It is also a credit to the Warriors having had ten of their squad taken by the Titans to be able to field a team and take on Wellington at the same time and lose 38-pointsto 37.  It looks well for the club.  

As the last game has been played by both the Warriors and the Titans for this season, we must offer our thanks to the coaches of both teams as well as the players for the service they have given.  They too  are supported by the “backroom” staff and huge thanks must be given to them.  But most of all a huge thanks must be given to all the supporter and sponsors who have been there throughout the season. THANK YOU All