Taunton Titans Vs Plymouth Albion

Possession and territorial dominance by Taunton were not reflected in the half time score.  Plymouth only had four forays into the Taunton half in the first period and came away 26 points to 18 in front. So desperate was the Plymouth defence that they gave away 11 penalties in that first half, the first after only one minute.  Taunton chose to kick to the corner but for the only time in the match a fumbled catch lost them the lineout and Plymouth were able to clear their line.  On three minutes another penalty to Taunton another kick to the corner and this time Brett Harvey secured the lineout ball and so the Taunton pack drove to the Plymouth line, when the drive was halted “Man of the Match” Charlie Wright broke from the back to score Taunton’s first try which Jordan Gott duly converted giving Taunton a 7 point to nil lead.  It was Taunton who then gave away a penalty which Plymouth kicked to the corner for them to set up a lineout and a driving maul from which their hooker James Salter scored, the kick was unsuccessful and so Taunton had a slender 2-point lead.  It was then Taunton opted to kick one of those penalties given away by Plymouth to increase the lead to 5 points.  Another penalty another kick and now an eight-point lead and still dominating possession and territory.  However, Alex Ducker, the Plymouth wing, almost from the restart was able to go from his own half shrugging off several missed tackles and score with only Plymouths second foray into the Taunton half.  This left Taunton with a slender one-point lead.  Taunton again took advantage from yet another penalty by kicking to the corner, lineout won it was Brett Harvey who went over for this try, the conversion was missed, and Taunton had a 6-point lead.  This lead was lost when from a Plymouth kick to the corner the Taunton player in contesting for the ball was adjudged to have taken out the Plymouth player and a penalty try was awarded and a yellow card given to the offending player.  Taunton reduced to 14 men still took the game to Plymouth and attacked but again, on the stroke of halftime, Ducker was able to break free and score his second try. Suddenly Plymouth were 8 points in front with a bonus point for 4 tries.

The second half was much more evenly contested but on 55minutes “Man of the Match” Charlie Wright made one of his numerous breaks from close quarters in the match passing to Connor Banks who was in support and then on to 18 years old Joe Blackburn who was able to outpace the Plymouth defence for an outstanding try in the corner.  The conversion was missed but it was now a three-point game.  Another penalty for Taunton and this time the choice was kick at goal and the scores were level 26 points all.  However, that man Ducker almost straight from the re-start raced from within his own half to score his third try of the afternoon. And give Plymouth back that lead. 

Taunton tried to score another try but a resolute Plymouth defence repelled the Taunton attack, leaving a final score of Taunton 26Plymouth 33.  So close and yet so far away.

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