Taunton Titans v Old Redcliffians

Two of the Titans 18-years old protégé’s scored 6 of the nine tries between them.  It was Rocky Prowse who on just three minutes scored the first of his five tries after Old Reds gave away their first of only three penalties in the first half.  Louie Sinclair kicked for touch and hooker Vaea Taione (Elvis) took the throw in.  The stalwart of the Titans lineouts Sam Leworthy took a superb catch and fed John Snow and with Elvis looping around so he drove at the Old Reds defence nearly making the score himself.  The ball came back from the ruck very quick which allowed Snowy to feed Rocky Prowse who went in for his first try of the afternoon.  Louie converted and the Titans has a seven-point lead.  Just 11minutes later and Leworthy sets off again on a gallop in open play and feeds onto his fellow second row Harry Wright whose ball handling skills released Rocky for his second try of the afternoon. Just three minutes later and it was the turn of the right-wing Jay Toogood to show his elusive running when he received a pass from some outstanding interplay by the forwards driving up the right side of the pitch and score the try for Louie to convert. Just two minutes later Ollie Devoto showed his experience and skills by the timing of his pass to full back Reece Malone who was speeding into the line for the fourth try of the afternoon which Louie converted and with just20-minutes of the game gone the Titans had a 28-points to nil lead.  26-minutes and Elvis takes a nasty knock from which the Titans get a penalty.  Louie kicks to the corner and Elvis’s replacement 18-years old hooker Harry Beasleytakes the throw in.  Leworthy catches the forwards drive for the line with Beasley spinning off and after just 9 seconds of him joining the game goes in for the try. Is that a record you may ask? Just three minutes later and Ollie Devoto goes in for his first try for the club.  Speedy recycling of the ball and Joe Snow sends out a superb pass putting Ollie in space who scores for Louie to convert.  With eight-minutes of the half left the Titans have accumulated 5-tries and 40-points with none against.  Rockies third try came from him picking up a loose ball and going on the outside of his opposite defending wing and using his blistering pace to score the try. Rocky’s fourth try on 39-minutes came from a piece of shear genius by Ollie Devoto who saw the space and off of the outside of his boot kicked a well-balanced kick which Rocky raced on to and completely outpaced the covering defence to score the try which was not converted band gave the Titans a 52points to nil halftime lead.

The second half started with the Titans going back to old ways and conceding penalties It was no surprise when Old Reds kicked one such penalty to the corner and from the lineout and maul went in for their opening try.  Just three minutes after this and the same process. The Titans concede the penalty, a kick to touch by Old Reds and so the second try.  The Titans then turned on the pressure.  Will Vaughan has had twenty minutes on the bench after Ollie-Schuster-Wood replaced him at half time and comes on at Tight Head.  His strength on his wrong side of the scrum causes Old Reds to concede the penalty and Louie restores some calm by converting the penalty. Almost from the re-start the forwards catch and drive, Jay Toogood now at scrum half probes and releases the ball, out it goes to Rocky who is on for his fifth try of the afternoon.  Almost from the re-start replacement second row Sam Taylor storms through the Titans defence  for Old Reds third try.   With ten minutes of the game left the Titans receive a yellow card.  Lucas Yapp is taken off; Jo Atkins comes back and Will Vaughan can revert to his normal position of loose head.  Whilst the fourteen battled well Old Reds managed to score two tries in the last three-minutes leaving the final score of The Titans 62 Old Reds 29.

There is a different mind set within the coaching staff who select the “Man of the Match” and there were several in contention.  Whilst Rocky scored 5-tries he was only able to do this as a result of the work put in by the rest of the team, his finishing skills must be applauded.  It was Will Vaughan who received the “Man of the Match” award.  Old Reds could have scored more tries but around the base of the maul Will was amongst the front runners at keeping Old Reds attacks at bay.  In the scrum he always put the opposition under pressure whether at tighthead or loose head and whilst we cannot doubt his strength both sides require different skills and he demonstrated these in abundance.  His ball carrying and support to other carriers was to the forefront so it is great to see one of the “engine room” of the team being rewarded for their efforts.

Next week the Titans are away to Luctonians who are sitting second in the league.  They are infamous for  their front row so it should be an interesting battle.  If you are staying home, please come and watch your Warriors who are playing against Chosen Hill.  I think you will see and recognise how the gap between the Warriors and the Titans has closed and how many of the Warriors team could now step into the higher role.  This is as a result of our coaches who have driven the two sides closer both on and off the pitch.  We look forward to seeing those who travel both away and those of you who will want to stay and see the home team.

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