Rams Vs Taunton Titans

There is no doubting how tough the Taunton boys are finding their journeys on the road in National One this season but there is doubt either the extent of their graft and commitment and to keep hearing that the game their opponents have just played is the best they have delivered all season 

means that the Titans are pushing these teams to their limits.    That was certainly the case last Saturday when our lads travelled to Sonning down on the Thames to take on Rams who triumphed 43-19 but that score line flatters the home side and fails to convey the sheer effort the Titans applied, writes Dick Macey.   

This was a quality game of rugby played at high pace and with a high degree of skill but the Titans were frustrated by an outstanding performance from Rams half-backs who once they hit their straps bossed the game, always giving their threes opportunities and picking up the scraps of loose ball to then turn those into attacking opportunities, always with pace and menace which kept the Titans defence at full stretch throughout.  The first quarter of the game was a real arm-wrestle with neither side giving way until the deadlock was broken by Rams sneaking over in the corner for an unconverted try and this brought an almost immediate response from the Taunton lads who tied the game up at 5-5 with a try by returnee Ollie Down pulling on the shirt after a lengthy spell away from the game through injury

The referee awarded Rams a penalty try for what he saw as a deliberate collapse of a maul followed very soon after by Rams going further ahead with a converted try following a sloppy line out by the Titans allowing the home side to go in at half-time 19-5 up but that was not a true reflection of the play.    Rams definitely upped their pace and purpose in the second session, scoring two converted tries early on and then two unconverted in the latter stages but in the meantime the Titans got themselves over the line with tries by Toots and Harry Tarling, both converted by Jack Walsh, after some delicious handling movements.   

The Titans will feel aggrieved that their effort on the park was not reflected on the score sheet but on reflection they will look back and note that their poor delivery through the game from their line-outs was a serious factor in failing to provide possession, placing them on a back foot at times when a better put-in would have set them up. The Titan's quality effort undoubtedly does bring out some high-octane response from their opponents hence the remarks indicating "that's the best we've played all season". 

‍