Taunton Titans v Hinckley

From fullback to wing and then to scrum half as well as scoring two tries in this game, showed the all-round ability of “Man of the Match” Reece Malone in this thirteen try free flowing game.

Taunton were 14-points down within the first 10 minutes from two break away tries from Hinkley, the first from their right-wing Dacey and the second from their very lively scrumhalf Pointon.  Both tries were converted by Vowles and the Titans looked exposed. Just two minutes later and Henry Webb raced out from his own half to be caught just 15metres out but Andrew Humberstone was in support to score the try which Louie Sinclair converted.  You do not become an England under twenty players and premier club Northampton Saints player on loan in the backs, unless you have some real talent and pace and this was evident in the Hinkley backs but some superb cover tackling seemed to keep Hinkley out.  However slick handling brought Hinkley their third try on seventeen minutes by centre Pasco which Vowles converted.  Just two minutes later and some fine build up play by the Titans forwards and Charlie Wright is released for the Titans second try which Louie converts.  Five tries within twenty minutes whilst entertaining, had shown how dangerous Hinkley were with possession.  The Titans controlled this possession and limited Hinkley’s ability to use their quick backline.  This allowed Ben Heath to score the try on twenty-seven minutes, which Louie converted to level the scores.  The Titans then manged possession and on thirty-seven minutes Reece Malone went in for his first try of the afternoon.  With Louie just missing the kick the Titans had the lead for the first time.  The Titans were conceding penalties and on thirty-nine minutes Hinkley kicked one to the Titans corner.  This lineout was probably a turning point in the game when from the lineout the ever-reliable Sam Leworthy read the throw and won the ball and the Titans moved out of the danger zone but give away another penalty.  Another kick to the corner and again Sam takes the lineout against the throw and the Titans are able to escape the danger and go in at halftime with a five-point lead.

From the Hinkley re-start the Titans retain possession going through the phases and testing the Hinkley defence, and on forty-six minutes Reece Malone goes in for his second try which Louie converts and the Titans have a twelve-point cushion.  However, on fifty minutes the Titans kick away possession and Hinkley fullback Callon fields the ball inside his own twenty-two metre line evading several Titans tackles breaks out before feeding the ball on, only to follow up and receive the final pass to score the try which Vowles missed the conversion.  Hinkley, who only conceded two penalties in the first half were starting to give them away and the decision was for Louie to kick at goal for which he was successful on sixty-three and sixty-six minutes to extend the lead to thirteen points but a loss of concentration by the Titans on sixty-eight saw Pasco race in for his second try of the game for Hinkley and with Vowles adding the extra points the Titans lead was reduced.  Another penalty conceded by Hinkley and Louie converts to extend the Titans lead.  Just two minutes later and a piece of magic in communication and skills by Louie and Ben Heath who had drifted wide and signalled to Louie who put in the most measured kick for Ben to race on to and score the try which Louie converted.  A fifteen-point cushion with just five-minutes of the game left.  Hinkley fullback Callan was then able slice through yet again and score under the posts. After touching down he quickly gathered the ball and dropped a goal for the conversion as there was less than two minutes left.  The Titans kick off and Hinkley field the ball and come back on the attack for replacement front row Sam Toon to go in for the try which Vowles converts.  That brought the game to an end with a narrow win for the Titans.

On the motorway pitch the Warriors brought their season to an end with a bonus point win over Cinderford33-points to 22.  Having seen the highs and lows of being in this league they must be congratulated on their achievements and for their development of players for the Titans in all positions.

One more game left for the Titans against Loughborough Students on 26^th April where we hope to fill our ground and give our players a superb end to their season.

‍