Dings Crusaders Vs Taunton Titans

The Titans clambered back to the top of National League 2(South) after a barn-storming second half performance brought them a hard-wonaway victory over Bristol neighbours, Dings Crusaders, 27 – 45, last Saturday(writes Dick Macey).

 Jack Arnott, Taunton’s spring-heeled winger gave the Titans an early lead with an unconverted try but that proved to be a false dawn as the home side, apparently playing the best rugby of their season to date, set about showing off their talents and with a couple of penalty goals and three converted tries they stormed into a 27-5 lead leaving the Titans gasping and bewildered. It was only after about half an hour  

that the Taunton boys gathered up their skirts, regained some equilibrium, and clawed two tries back – one a penalty try and one through Jack Arnott’s second after good work by Greg Kitson which was converted by Gary Kingdom, to bring the Titans into the game 27–19 at half time.

The second half was an altogether different tale with the Titans closing the door on Dings with an excellent team display as they applied more and more pressure. The fleet-footed Oscar Kolowski claimed the first try of the second session,converted by Kingdom, with the second scored by hooker, Chris Francis, againconverted by Kingdom, which put the Titan’s noses back in front. They continued to apply the squeeze and the next try came from a good line taken by Tom Popham to put Charlie Williams over under the posts for an easy conversion by Kingdom. The coup de grace  was applied by Isaac Dalton with his 10th try of the season which brought the Titans to the final score of 27-45. A bonus point win which saw a satisfying outcome to a highly competitive game of rugby.

This coming Saturday sees the Titans return to Towergate Stadium for what will be their final home game before Christmas.   Their opponents will be Bury St.Edmunds and the kick off has been brought forward to 2.00pm at the visitors’ request. The game will be preceded by a carvery lunch(commencing at (12.30pm) hosted by the Friends and the whole package adds up to a very enticing afternoon.

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