Warriors Impress on their way to Somerset Cup Final

Taunton Warriors continued their unbeaten season by beating Bath University in the Semi Final of the Somerset Cup on Saturday.

On a perfect day for rugby at the CommsPlus Stadium the Taunton side started the game well launching strong attacks at a resolute Bath defence, the forwards searching for weakness continued to build great platforms for the backs who initially struggled to hit the line at pace and create clear cut opportunities. With Bath holding firm the game remained tight until eventually Taunton opened their account with their first try. Bath immediately hit back with their own try after some good work from their forwards and a line break saw their centre go through untouched under the posts. Bath followed this up with a penalty to lead 8-5. With Taunton remaining focused and starting to play in the right area’s they began to be rewarded for their efforts, the forwards worked tirelessly and with great control allowing the backs to exploit the space both out wide and through the middle. Two more tries resulted, one conversion and a penalty saw Taunton make the turnaround leading 20-8.

The second half saw a change of intensity from the home side and they began to dominate the tiring Bath defence. The overall play was more secure, focused and effective and Taunton continually exerted too much pressure in every phase of the game for Bath to cope with. As the changes were made and fresh legs entered the game the spaces opened up and Taunton took full advantage. The outstanding forwards laid siege to the Bath Line at every opportunity and with the backs finding their lines and executing crisp passing moves the scoreboard started to regularly climb. Full credit to Bath as they refused to go down without a fight crossing the Taunton line for their own scores.

At the final whistle the game ended Taunton Warriors 53 –Bath University 20, the Warriors now play North Petherton in the Final.

Taunton

Alex Rodd, Casey George, Arran Wilman, Andy England, Tom Hooper, Ben Mallet, Ben OT, Charlie Samways, Connor Banks, Sam Baker, Lewis Geran, James Keay, Connor Vickery, Dan Johnson, Richard Baker, Milo Reynolds,Stuart Percy, Zab Zeregbe, Ben Clarke, Andrew Dudley, Josh Mynett, Jacob Nash

Tries – Lewis Geran, Connor Banks, Sam Baker, Richard Baker, Charlie Samways, Dan Johnson, Connor Vickery

Sam Baker – 6 Cons, 2 Pens

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