Taunton Titans Vs Sale FC

There is inevitably a question flying around following the Titans home game against Sale FC last Saturday which saw the Taunton lads pipped at the post in losing an incredible game of rugby which posted a score-line 40-50. The question is " How can a side score 40 points, which included 6 tries, and lose?"       The answer to that riddle lies in the fact that the Titans, despite the grittiest and most hard-working of performances, came up against a Sale side who are jostling for top spot in the league and whose straight line running at pace and handling of the ball was an example of the quality of rugby football in National One.   The Titans are learning fast and really blew a breeze up Sale shirts on Saturday but their frustration was palpable - so near yet so far!.

This was a pulsating game of quality rugby played in what turne dout to be near ideal conditions. The Titans began with a clear game plan to unsettle their visitors and the opening sorties saw the Taunton boys grab the initiative by going ahead 14-0 within 10 minutes of the start through tries by Alex Spurdle and Toots Vatalutukali, both converted by Jack Walsh.   Sale crept on to the scoreboard with a converted try only tosee the Titans go further ahead with a try by Jack Walsh which he converted and the Taunton faithful were buzzing.    Sale inevitably fought backwith a couple of converted tries but Taunton's dominance was further emphasised before half-time with tries by Nick Mason and Shai Bonnick, again both converted by Jack Walsh.   Sadly, from a Titans' viewpoint, their half time lead of 33-19 was tarnished by letting in Sale for a converted try under the posts which gave the visitors a glimpse of what they might be able to achieve after the break.

The home crowd had relished what had been served up by the Taunton boys in the first session and were hoping against hope that more was to come but Sale had other ideas.   I don't know what elixir their coach served them at the break but they came out of the blocks like greyhounds and within 6 minutes of the re-start they had clawed their way back to parity and their foot remained on the pedal throughout the second half with a glossy lesson in the art of attacking rugby as they then built their lead on the scoreboard with Taunton only able to respond with one other try by Shai Bonnick.

Despite the disappointment of failing to  take the spoils in this game those of us who have followed the Titans progress this season can testify to the immense learning curve the boys have been on and their ability to now obviously compete at this serious level of National rugby is visible for all to see.

We are seeing talent emerge displaying competitive ability and there will be a few sides who will suffer in result terms as the season progresses and the Titans display the advancing evidence of their determination.

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