Luctonians v Titans

Luctonians 12 Taunton Titans 23

In deepest Herefordshire overnight rain had left a soft pitch.

A fine afternoon, a cross wind, a low sun saw a crowd of 672attend the first ever meeting of these two clubs., writes Hugh Duder,

A shock start for the Titans came after two minutes when a lost scrum, a deft kick ahead and a race for the line was won by the home side to touch down first for a 7-0 lead.

On 20 minutes Jo Toogood made a 20-metre break. He was tackledfive metres short of the whitewash. This after 15 minutes of Titans possession.

Against the run of play, Lucs increased their lead with a second try. 12-0.

Titans then upped their game gaining territorial advantage after a great kick to touch deep into Lucs 22 by Joe Snow. From the line-out Titan swere able to set up just left of the posts and captain Ratu Vakalutukali scored a converted try 12-7. This on 35 minutes and four minutes later came again. The three quarters inter passing one way and then the other and finding left wing Rocky Prowse who went over in the corner for his ninth try of the season, tidely converted by Louie Sinclair and Titans led 12-14 at the break.

It was all Taunton in the second half and apart from one incursionby the opposition who were denied when the ball was held up.

On 30 minutes Titans opted to kick for goal rather than touch and successfully converted for a 12-17 lead.

Two more penalties against Lucs were converted by Louie Sinclair, bringing his bag for the afternoon to 13 points. Final score 12-23.

Throughout the game the Taunton defence was outstanding.

After the match Damian Welch, the new forwards coach, was delighted with his team’s performance.

He said settling in to this division to see what they could achieve was now being rewarded with their fourth consecutive win.

It had taken a couple of early matches to bed in with new players coming in and experienced ones leaving. He highlighted hard work, and a big improvement in their defence as improving qualities.

He went on to say a refusal to lose encouraged the whole squad to play for each other today despite two yellow cards.

He continued: “We have become physically stronger in defence and now have the mental capacity to engage the opposition.

“The mix of experience with youth is working for us.”

He concluded: “Going forward, selection has become interesting as players compete for places in the squad.”

Next up Cinderford at home with a 3pm kick off on Saturday, October 26.

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