Taunton Take The Spoils At Home To Shelford
Following an error strewn, low scoring defeat away to Redruth last week, the Titans got their campaign back on track at home to Shelford with a comfortable 33-17 victory, collecting the bonus point on the way. Taunton now sit 3rd in the table, 5 points clear of the Raiders and 7 adrift of Dorking.
Flanker Daniel Ogden got the home side off to a flying start, with Faulkner adding a second (converted by Gary Kingdom). Nick Mason added a try to create a 19 point cushion, however Josh Taylor struck back for the visitors just before the break to lessen the deficit.
The four try bonus point was secured immediately after the restart, with Mason adding his second of the match with 15 minutes remaining. A couple of consolations tries weren’t enough for Shelford and Taunton took the spoils.
The Titans next game is away against bottom club Dings before hosting league leaders Henley Hawks at home.
For Keith Brooking’s post match views click here
Good Run Continues For Titans With Win Over Bishops Stortford (26/01/2015)
The Titan’s solid run of form continues well into the New Year with a close 22-17 victory over Bishops Stortford.
The visitors took the lead from a penalty try in the 18th minute, converted by George Cullen after a tight start by both sides. Far from struggling with being a man short during the sin bin, Taunton replied with two tries of their own, taking a well-deserved lead. Stortford replied with a try themselves before the half was out, making the second half a nervy affair.
Dominating the play for the first 15 minutes after the re-start, Stortford failed to capitalise with their pressure play. Taunton dealt with the pressure well and following a penalty against the visitors for holding onto the ball after a tackle, alleviated pressure. A trip by Winter meant Taunton gained territorial advantage again with a well-placed kick meant a try and successful conversion from Gary Kingdom. A consolation try wasn’t enough for the visitors and after a frantic last 5 minutes, Taunton held on to claim the spoils.
Titans Do Double Over Worthing (19/1/2015)
Taunton took the spoils against a battling Worthing in a 4th vs 5th place war on Saturday, eventually rolling out 30-17 victors.
The Titans had the best possible start with a Ben Turner try in the first minute, converted by the ever dependable Gary Kingdom who converted 100% of all kicks, ending the game on 15 points. Worthing got straight back into the game with a Matthew Mclean try after just 3 minutes although Taunton extended their lead before the half was out, heading into the changing rooms with a 13-5 lead.
Experience from the bench proved key to the Titans in claiming all the points, keeping the momentum going forward in both defence and attack. A yellow card was capitalised on for Ben Turner by Worthing, running over two tries and a conversion, taking the score to 16-17 to the visitors.
In response the Titans sent on Jon Gatford and George Cooper to energise the squad, with both contributing some big hits in the defence and attacked in the scrum throughout. A penalty try was rightly awarded to the home side after two mauls were illegally impeded and with scrum half Lewis Webb adding the final try, the Titans comfortably ran down the clock to take the full points.
Battling Titans Fall To Defeat Away To Canterbury (14/01/2015)
A sub-standard away performance saw the Titans fall to a 19-14 defeat at the hands of Canterbury, dinting their drive for second place in the table.
Conceding a try after just five minutes, Canterbury benefited from a quality off-loading game, and after some timid tackles, punished the Titans with a try in the corner. Taunton hit back 5 minutes later with a well taken try from fly-half Toby East, collecting a loose ball from a Faulkner kick and running over after scurrying in the down the wing. Kingdom converted in a turnaround that saw the Titans take the lead for the first time however it didn’t last long.
Poor defending again cost Taunton the lead and ultimately the match with Canterbury running over 2 tries. Fly-half Tom Best converted both tries to take the half time score to 19-7. A 72nd minute try and conversion wasn’t enough and Canterbury held on to take the points.
Titans Celebrate New Year With Bang (08/01/2015)
Taunton began the New Year with a bang beating Old Elthamians 22-15 at Hyde Park.
Playing into the wind during the first half, the Titans pushed ahead to make it 5-3 after 15 minutes with a Nick Mason try. Fraser and Faulkner, with the first converted by Kingdom, extended the lead before half time.
After half time the OE’s came out revitalised, running over 2 successive tries in the first 10 minutes by winger Renford Bennett and full back Max O’Leary (White converting one).
The match remained tightly poised at 17-15 until Brett Harvey scored a try to make it 22-15 with just 2 minutes remaining. Titans held on to cement their 3rd position place in the league.
Titans Victorious Against Clifton
Building on a tight 23-20 victory against Cornish All Blacks the previous week, the Titans continue to grow in confidence with a comprehensive 21-16 away victory over 11 placed Clifton that cements there 3rd spot in the league.
A fantastic result to close 2014, Taunton are set to face Old Elthamians on Saturday 3rd, aiming to kick off a run of good results in 2015 to close the gap on 2nd placed Dorking.
Emphatic Victory Ends Three Game Losing Streak For Titans
Taking on a powerful Lydney set up was never going to be an easy challenge for the Titans, especially after three defeats on the bounce. However the Taunton made it look easy with a thumping 49 -17 victory at Hyde Park to cement their 3rd place in the league and enter the Xmas period full of confidence.
Taking an early lead after just three minutes from a Jack Faulkner try, Kingdom followed with a simple conversion adding to his leading points tally for the season. Lydney cut the score to 7-3 with a Tony Wicks penalty kick, with the match remaining a tight affair until Lydney infringed at a scrum and Kingdom added to his season tally to build a 13-3 lead at the half hour mark. From then on it was one way traffic, bar a try from Lydney after the break, as 5 tries went over with successful conversions. Josh Hannam claimed a consolation try five minutes from time for the home side but it wasn’t enough as Taunton claimed maximum points to stop the rot and go 5 points clear in third.
Next week’s game is away to 14 placed Southend Saxons, a team with renewed confidence after sealing victory against the Cornish All Blacks last weekend 22-21. Kick-off is at 2:30pm with directions found here.
Titans Slip To 3rd Successive Defeat Against Chinnor
The Titans’ luck doesn't seem to be holding out this November as they fell to a 3rd consecutive defeat, again to the slimmest of margins 30-26 leaving with a consolation 2 points.
Ahead for only 4 minutes in the entire match, Chinnor took their chances well. Capitalising on a tiring Taunton line as a brutally intense 2nd half took its toll, two tries in ten minutes were enough to award the hosts the lion’s share of the spoils and overturn a once promising 26-19 lead. Putting the first points on the board with a Lewis Webb try and conversion courtesy of Gary Kingdom, Taunton looked in control but never fully dominated, with Chinnor always pegging the visitors back through making their slim chances count, including a succession of well taken Ed Keohane penalties. Hale’s winning try in the far corner capped off a tense affair and another disappointing afternoon for the 3rd placed championship chasers.
Trailing leaders Henley by 14 points and 2nd place Dorking by 9, the Christmas period looks to be a challenging one for Taunton as they look to get back to winning ways. This Saturday’s match is at home to Lydney, sitting 13th in the table but coming off a motivated victory against fellow struggles Canterbury. Kick off is at 3:00pm Hyde Park.
Titans Fall To First Home Defeat At The Hands of A Dominant Dorking
Taunton’s torrid time against top of the table teams continued last Saturday with a disappointing and rare defeat at home to Dorking. Last beaten in May 2012 in a tight affair against Cornish All Blacks 25-22, a similar scenario developed at Hyde Park as Dorking just did enough to steal the points running out victorious 21-14.
Going in up by 2 points at half time (14-12) the Titans were the architectures of their own downfall, with a hand full penalties proving the difference come final whistle. Adopting a kick and catch approach, Dorking were ahead in the first five courtesy of a try, with the Titans regaining a foothold and the lead through successfully penalties and pressure play. Everything but the kitchen sink was thrown at Dorking in the last 15 minutes but the 2nd placed rivals held on to leave with the spoils and subsequent top of the table bragging rights.
This coming Saturday the Titans are away to Chinnor with kick off at 3.00pm. Placed 5th to Titans 3rd position, another competitive game is expected with the home side looking to close the 6 point deficit.
Titans Tackle Dorking In Top Of The Table Clash
Saturday 15th sees the Titans face Dorking in a top of the table clash which may prove pivotal come the season end. With Dorking precariously placed one above protecting a 4 point lead, The Titans are hoping home advantage can give them the push to collect full points. Coming off a narrow defeat to Henley Hawks last week, rain drenched conditions and poor visibility meant two penalty kicks weren’t capitalised on that swung momentum to the opposition. Only the Titans second defeat in the season, a top 2 position is well within their grasp if this form is extended beyond the Christmas period, with the season kick started again tomorrow.
Kick Off is at 3:00pm at Hyde Park, with the pre-match 2 course lunch available for booking here.
About Taunton RFC & The Titans
Founded in 1875, Taunton Rugby Football Club play their home matches at Hyde Park, re-locating from Priory Park after 66 successful years. The senior first XV, The Titans, contest in the National League 2 South and were awarded the “BBC West Team of The Year” for the 2008/9 season having remained unbeaten and subsequently collected the South West 2 championship. Other honours include winning the National League 3 South Championship in the 2010/11 season and the Somerset Cup in 2013.
A pillar in the local community, Taunton RFC runs numerous teams championing entry level rugby throughout Somerset. Various teams include the Seniors (from Titans to Ladies), Juniors (Under 17s to Under 13s), Minis (Under 12s to Under 6s) and Ladies (Fillies U18s to Fillies U13s). For more details on how to join visit the Pitchero site and Taunton RFC website, with both providing plenty of information.