Bishops Stortford Vs Taunton Titans

Another long journey to the top end of Hertfordshire to Bishops Stortford for the Titans and Oh! the frustration of a game that was there for the Titans to claim but a chapter of vital mishandling errors at crucial moments and a referee who was so hot on release of the ball at the tackle that sometimes it seemed his whistle had gone before the tackled player hit the ground, writes Dick Macey. 

This game definitely sits in the annals of “one that got away”.   Although Storts claimed the victory 26-22, they only scored three tries, converting one of them, together with three penalty goals in their total, giving them four points for their win  The Titans scored four tries with one conversion, thus claiming two bonus points from the game, one for the tries and one for the losing proximity. It has to be said this could, and on reflection, should have been a five pointer. 

The Titans’ line out was more effective this week with Brett Harvey claiming some excellent ball, the backs always looked threatening and moved the ball well but too often it promised much but failed to deliver as the Taunton faithful watched and waited for what always seemed the inevitable handling error  which together with some effective defence from the Storts brought the attacks to a shuddering halt.   Nothing illustrated this more than in the dying moments of the game, with the home side’s line under serious threat and a score beckoning, a knock-on was the final crushing blow.  

Overall this proved to be an entertaining well-balanced game, fairly fought by the two capable sides but with both prone to error and the Titans just lacking that extra steely bite to claim the contest. 

This coming Saturday the Taunton boys return to Veritas Park to take on the new League leaders, The Rams, who are enjoying an unbeaten start to their season, with four bonus point wins to their credit.  Another outstanding National League One fixture to be savoured with a pre-match lunch available that can be booked through the Club Office. 

‍