Dings Crusaders Vs Taunton Titans

For the first 20 minutes of the Titans’ home game against Bristol-based Dings Crusaders last Saturday you would have been forgiven in thinking that the Taunton side were about to obliterate their visitors. They had taken a 7-0 lead with a try by the in-form Nick Mason, ably converted by Gary Kingdom, and seemed to be coasting but then Dings remembered why they were there.  They dug in, capitalised on a couple of Titans’ mistakes and in a flash they turned the game upside down with a couple of tries, one converted, to go in at half time 12-7 up and oozing confidence (writes Dick Macey).

The Titans emerged for the second session in a more determined state of mind. They had struggled to get a kicking game going in the first half against the wind but now they began to use that advantage to better effect and became tidier and tighter in their handling.   They clawed their way back into the lead through tries by Alex Spurdle and a second from Mason, which was converted by Kingdom, only to slip behind once more through two rapid tries by Dings, one converted, to find themselves 22-19 down against truly determined opponents.   The Titans’ forwards then showed their mettle and after a series of rolling mauls drove Sam Prior over for a score which the reliable Kingdom converted with around 10 minutes to go.   The earlier Dings’ efforts had slowed them down in the latter stages and they were unable to repeat their earlier drive.   Proceedings were finally brought to a close with Kingdom slotting over a penalty goal and the Titans emerged 29-22 victors and Dings went home with two very well-earned bonus points.

This win maintains the Titans’ second place in the league as the games tick by and with the deferred home game against Esher coming up this Saturday, a victory would see the Taunton boys back at the top of the league with just five to play. The mantra will still be “One game at a time” but as the season heads towards its climax with two away games amongst the remaining fixtures the excitement is beginning to build at Towergate Stadium. The side is a cohesive, well-coached and confident outfit who are looking out for each other and excited by what might lay ahead of them.  

What would be really special would be to see Towergate Stadium swelling with vocal, local support to lift the boys even further and to feel the growing pride of the Taunton folk as their side reach for the heady heights of National Division One.

Come down this Saturday (kick off 2.30pm) and be part of the thrilling finale