Taunton Titans v Clifton

The Titans kicked off to start the game and pinned Clifton back in their twenty-two but from a Titans mistake and some slick rugby, Clifton went the length of the pitch to score the opening try and hold a 5-point lead. Just three minutes later and “man of the match” Andrew Humberstone made a superb break to take the Titans just short of the Clifton line however Charlie Wright was on hand to score the try which Reece Malone converted giving the Titans a slender two-point lead.  The Titans tested the Clifton defence which stood firm however their tactics were considered such as to warrant a yellow card on 11 minutes.  Whilst Clifton were reduced to fourteen players the Titans pressed hard but it was Clifton who were rewarded with a try by their fullback Luke Daniels on 17-minutes.  Millner added the conversion and Clifton regained the lead, something they never lost for the rest of the game.  Almost from the re-start Toby Hutchinson went in for the Clifton third try which Millner again converted.  The Titans had opportunities, but mistakes and stern defence left the halftime score Titans 7 Clifton 19.

Just eight-minutes of the second half gone and Clifton centre Marcus Nel went in for the try which Millner converted to give Cliton their try bonus point.  On 68 minutes Clifton were again reduced to14 players and whilst the Titans had their opportunities, it was the stern well organised 14 player defence which denied the Titans any further scoring chances.  It was the first time that the Titans had lost at home since March 2024 so even the vociferous enthusiastic Titans supporters we not able to make the difference on this occasion.  But take nothing away from some off the performances  stalwarts like Sam Leworthy dominating the lineout and winning the Clifton ball. Jo Elsworth who had to move into the second row when Ben O-T was injured and out two props who played the whole eighty minutes.  It was hard to stop the quick ball and the creation of the extra man in the backs by the play of the Clifton number eight and this showed some outstanding defence by Dan Martin and the centre pairing of Andrew and Nick.  Whilst there were opportunities they were missed and the team will move on to the away game to Devonport Services next week.

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