Taunton 2's Vs Weston 2's

If on Saturday you had wanted to see fast flowing rugby, exciting young future prospects, pace, fitness, and an abundance of tries then you needed to have been at Veritas Park.  Again, a crowd of over 200enjoyed what proved to be an exciting game.  The first try came after only8 minutes and unfortunately the conversion was missed but Taunton had a 5-pointlead.  The second try was by our ever-faithful prop Alex Rodd who received a ball in space and used his pace and a sidestep to score close to the posts. This time Rhodri Hopkins the Taunton fly-half converted, and Taunton had a12-point lead.  But Alex was not the only prop displaying outlandish behaviour when Brian Ncube though an enormous dummy which opened a gap for Brian to race through, he then gave a well-timed pass which winger Sam Hassett took giving him the space to use his blistering pace to outstrip the Weston defence and give Taunton a 17-point lead.  Weston stuck to their task well and produced some fine rugby but good defence by Taunton kept them a bay until on 37 minutes they did cross the Taunton line for a converted try to make the score 17 points to 7.  This is how the half-finished.

Weston started off the second half with some good possession and tested Taunton with some excellent open play however after five minutes of the half Henry Webb, who scored three tries in the game, went over for his first.  Rhodri converted and suddenly the gap had increased to 17 points in Taunton’s favour. Just 4 minutes later Jack Connor the other Taunton wing took the ball on the half-way line and after several sidesteps and a lot of pace broke clear to score Taunton’s fifth try which again Rhodri converted.  Just three minutes later and Jack Connor has the ball in space, and he was away for his second try.  It was then that Weston, who never stopped trying to play ruby started to have some dominance and were rewarded with a try which was converted and took the score to Taunton 38 Weston14.  It was a long route back, but Weston put together some good phases showing that they also had pace and talent but on 66 minutes Henry Webb in support of a break by Harry Wright was rewarded with a try which Rhodri again converted.  It was now that extra fitness which was showing though when the strength of harry Wright saw him breakthrough for a converted try and surely taking the game beyond the reach of Weston.  But they did not give up and tested the Taunton defence which stood resolute.  On 78 minutes Henry Webb went through for his third try of the afternoon which Rhodri converted and before the ink was dry on writing the scorer and the notes, in the last move of the match Thomas Labdon went over for a try which Rhodri converted giving him a total of eight conversions for the afternoon, and Taunton a win of 66 points to 14.

There could have been more tries but the team cannot be criticised in any way for enterprise and enthusiasm. Their fitness showed through and great credit must be given not only to them for their commitment but also to the whole coaching staff for the work and effort they are putting in to this team. In only their third game together the future is looking bright.