Taunton Titans Vs Blackheath

The Titan's National League One opponents at Veritas Park on Saturday were the oldest rugby club in England with a famous history in the game,namely Blackheath RFC.   Known as "The Club" this was their first league visit to our County Town and the scene was set for a gripping encounter with the weather holding firm amongst all the recent downpours and watched by a large, enthusiastic crowd swelled by a host of ladies enjoying Taunton RFC's "Ladies 'Day".   

Although the Titans have been playing some excellent rugby of late, they have struggled to string any results together and have failed to reach the heights their promising performances might have heralded but as this afternoon unfolded that promise was delivered in abundance.

Blackheath grabbed an early lead with a converted try in the 2nd minute but the Titans responded soon afterwards with a try by our excellent scrumhalf, Connor Banks,  converted from wide out by Jack Walsh, after a super break by Nick Mason who had an electrifying game with a number of fast-paced straight-line breaks causing increasing panic in the Heath defensive line.   Despite the visitors regaining a short-lived lead with a converted try, the Titans slowly began to exert some territorial dominance and by half time two further tries through Charlie Wright and Sam Prior, the latter being converted by Jack Walsh, had been added to the score sheet with Heath adding a converted try of their own to go in 19-21 ahead.

The Taunton boys came out of the traps like March hares after there start and grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck, scoring four more tries through Alex Spurdle, Ollie Down, a second by Charlie Wright and finally one by Toots Vatalutukali,  with two converted by Walsh.   Heath were able to claim a bonus point consolation converted try almost at the death but it was too little too late, the Titans had played with great energy and attacking creativity and that was what had been the telling factor and what proved to b every gratifying to the home support.

On reflection this was a polished Titans' performance withstand-out games delivered by Nick Mason, the effervescent Charlie Wright, Toots and particularly by man of the match Dan Swain, but just as importantly it was a deserved and perfectly well delivered team performance.

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