Taunton Titans V Old Redcliffians

A sunny day, a crowd of over 1000spectators and a Titans try within the first three minutes was the perfect wayto start the Titans last home game of the season.

The Titans forwards turned overthe Old Reds ball on the halfway line. The ball came back to the three quarters and Dan Martin makes the break before passing to wing Troy Jackson who races away down the right wing, drawing the opposition just short of the line he passes back inside for Dan Martin toscore the try which Tom Putt converts to give the Titans a seven-point lead.

From the restart the Titans maintain their attacking game but on fourteen minutes Old Reds wing Dan Caywood breaks out from his own twenty-two metre line easily brushing off the attempted tackles  before being brought down shortof the Titans line.  Old Reds win the ruck and Oliver Stratton scores their try which Zac Tomlin converts to level the scores.  Just three-minutes later and Old Reds number eight lax Van Keergergen picks up and races over for the scorefor Tomlin to convert and give Old reds the lead.

The Titans had a number of opportunities but small mistakes took away their initiative however, the ever-present Ben Rogers  showing good support went in for the try on twenty-three minutes and with the conversion from Putt the scores were level again.

Again, just two-minutes later,the Old Reds wing Caywood broke away shrugging off tackles and whilst he was eventually stopped, he was supported by his scrum half Andrew Butler who scored the try for Tomlin to convert and Old Reds are back in the lead.

With just four minutes of the half left Old Reds conceded another penalty and Will Holmes took the tap for  with the ball coming to prop Ollie Schuster-Wood who raced away to score the try which Putt converted and the scores are again level.

The second half started and with just four-minutes gone the Titans conceded one of their rare penalties as discipline was good.  Old Reds opted for the kick and took the lead yet again. However, the dynamics of the game were changing as the Titans forwards were wearing down their opposition and winning more ball.  It took them until the 58th minute scorea gain when Matt Whitlock came into the line and used his pace and power to go over for the try which Putt converted.

The try, which created one of the greatest roars for the spectator’s, was when prop Isaac Dalton broke through the gap on the halfway line and sprinted a good thirty-five metre into the Old Reds Twenty two before being stopped however, he was able to get the ball away to Scott Gibson for the try which Putt converted.

Almost from the restart Scott Gibson mesmerised the opposition with his break and when realising he was not going to make the line made the ball available for Titans debutant Sam Snell to score the try which Putt converted giving the Titans an eighteen-point lead with just twelve-minutes left.

The Titans conceded one of their rare penalties and from the kick to touch and lineout win Old Reds were able to maul over the line for the try which gave Old Reds a try bonus point.  With the clock in the red Old Reds second row Oliver Stratton was able break clear race through for a try which Tomlin converted bring the game to an end.

Being the last home game of the season, the traditional awards were presented to the players and the player of the match being awarded to Ben Oliphant-Thompson.  The Spectator’s awarded the Oli Massingham cup for player of the season to Scott Gibson. The Gazette cup which is the reporters recommendations was awarded to Tom Putt and congratulations must go to all three of those players.

Next week is the final game of the season for both the Titans and the Warriors.  The Warriors are at home playing Old Reds on Friday Night under lights kick off 7.30pm and we are hoping for a really good turnout.  If they play as they played last week against top of the Table Dings putting 42 points past the opposition you will be due for some excitement.  Bolstered with that excitement a short trip, just 32 miles down the motorway to Exeter and the Titans round off their season against Exeter Students.  This will be a super way to finish the season.