Titans v Exeter University

Taunton Titans lose to Exeter Uni in a thrilling match played in wonderful sunny weather 44-24. 

The final game of the season was a short trip to Devon to play Exeter Uni in a match they had to win to keep their hopes alive to avoid relegation but we were always going to keep our fourth place in the league win or lose, the conditions were almost perfect with just a slight breeze and both sides were keen to play running rugby from all over the pitch.

 The first 15 minutes were scoreless, both sides having plenty of attacking ball but small mistakes and aggressive defences held fast. A serious leg injury to Titans Dan Martin stopped the game for 10 minutes as a stretcher was used to assist him off the pitch. Jay Toogood came on as are placement and the back line was reshuffled. The game continued to be a real battle and it was after 30 minutes that Tom Putt snatched a wide ball with a wonderful intercept try that broke the deadlock. Putt converting his own try 0-7.

 The game was really starting to open up, Exeter Uni were trying all the tricks in the book, kicks over the top or slide kicks through gave them possession to set up some powerful forward play. The momentum was all with the home side and once they got into the corners their pack took over scoring a couple of close range tries back to back. Titans had chances to get more points on the board before half time, Troy Jackson made some huge dents in the Uni defence but the finishing was left wanting. Uni capitalised after some missed tackles and managed another try just before half time 17-7

 Titans came out second half like a new team, a huge barnstorming run from long serving prop Isaac Dalton finished with a slick offload to the speedster Matt Whitlock who sprinted in from 30 metres under the posts for Putt to convert. 17-14.

It really was a crazy game, both teams were returning kicks from deep and it was multi phase high risk rugby. Uni did decide to calm it down with a shot for goal from a penalty but the breeze had picked up and the kick just sailed wide.

 Titans were playing the rugby that they enjoy, forwards and backs combining to make holes in the defence, Andrew Humberstone was a constant menace to the Uni defence with multiple breaks just in behind their backline. A wide passing move gave winger Errol Pearson the smallest gap to slip through and he went over in the corner, conversion just missing. 17-19

 It all looked like it was going well for the Titans but Uni just clicked into gear, the realisation that they must win the game or be relegated became very real and they took over the last 20 minutes of the match. A yellow card for both sides opened up a little bit of space but the Uni forwards close to the line were very patient and took their chances when a gap was available to power over to score. Two tries back to back gave them hope, a Titans close range try from James Burgoyne stemmed the flow but some errors and mistakes were ruthlessly punished and the Uni managed two more late tries to pull away to win 44-24 to the delight of the Uni supporters on the sideline that went through the full range of emotions during the 80 minutes.

 The Titans finished the 2025/26 season in a very respectable fourth place in the league.

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