Taunton Titans Vs Caldy

It was bound to be a tight game as these two newly-promoted sides from their respective geographical divisions, Caldy from National League Two(North)and the Titans from National Two(South), met up for the first time in their club histories and so it proved, writes Dick Macey. Unfortunately, it was the Titans who were just shaded in the final reckoning 31-36 but the Taunton lads came away with two bonus points, one for their four tries and one for the less than seven points loss, but that was scant consolation for a game which in retrospect they will say sits in the category of one that got away.

The first half saw the Titans stamp some dominance on proceedings scoring three tries through Charlie Wright, Will Norton and George Gosling, all converted by debutant outside half Iwan Jenkins in addition to a penalty goal,with Caldy responding with two converted tries of their own leaving the home side 24-12 ahead at the break and looking good value for their lead.

Then it all went pear-shaped for a good chunk of the second half. Caldy upped the pace of their game and threw the ball around with considerable success thus exploiting some frailties in the Titans defence,particularly when it came to containing the visitors rolling maul, a well-disciplined weapon which they put to good use.   This produced the bulk of their scores in the second session which along with some potent goal kicking from the touch lines by their full back they overhauled the Titans lead and with just a few minutes to go to the final whistle the Titans looked to have been cast adrift with nothing to claim from the game despite theirs spirited performance. Then almost at the death the Taunton boys recovered some of their earlier drive and taking advantage of a penalty kick to take them close to the Caldy line they drove over with another debutant, Hallam Chapman,  getting the touch down, again converted by the impressive Jenkins.    

The frustration the Taunton boys felt when the final whistle went was palpable because they knew that on another day with a favourable whistle from the referee going their way instead of the way of their visitors, they would have won the day.    It was just the rub of the green as they say but they could take a little solace from their two points which indicated just how close they had been. 

‍