Taunton Warriors v Chosen Hill

If possession won games, then Chosen Hill should have been winners of this game as for large periods they dominated possession.  This demonstrated the solid defence of the Warriors especially in the first 15 minutes of the game where Chosen Hill had 80% of possession and territory.  On 15-minutes from a Warriors scrum in their own 22, Connor Banks picked up the ball and made the break, he handed on towing Jack Cox who raced 65 metres just short of the line before being caught but the reliant Henry Webb was in support and completely against the run of play the Warriors had the try which was converted by Ben Alvis.  Back came Chosen Hill attacking with possession but the Warriors turned the ball over and it came to Jack Cox again who made the break and just short of the line he handed on to the other centre, Ben Heath, who was in support and with Ben Alvis converting the Warriors, with very little possession had a fourteen-point lead. The Warriors then conceded a penalty which Chosen Hill kicked to the corner, won the lineout and mauled towards the Warrior’s line.  Stern defence kept Chosen Hill out but the referee considered there was foul play, awarded a penalty try to Chosen Hilland a yellow card to the Warriors. Chosen Hill with a man advantage then had a purple patch of domination and usually they say a yellow card is at least a try advantage to the opposition, however, they had not encountered the dancing feet of Ben Heath who wriggled his way through the opposition defence with sidesteps and strength to break tackles, used his pace before passing on to fellow centre Henry Webb to score his second try of the match.  Still with only fourteen players Jack Cox made yet another break going inside and outside the opposition defence before backrow Alex Long finished off the move to give the Warriors their fourth try of the game and a try bonus point.  Chosen Hill did not seem to have any answers to the pace and skill of the Warriors backline. It was therefore no surprise when Jack Cox set off again from a scrum in the Warriors twenty-two this time handing on to Connor Banks for the fifth and last try of the half.  The Warriors now had a thirty-one point to seven lead.

Chosen Hill completely changed their game plan after half time and kept the ball tight with pick and drives or first receiver battering.  Their ploy wasto deny the Warriors possession.  The Warriors started to give away penalties and Chosen Hill took advantage of this to get their second try on the board. Almost from the restart from the try, we again saw the magic of the dancing feet of Ben Heath who danced through the opposition defence and then used his fantastic pace to score the try. Back came Chosen Hill again to muscle over for their third try of the afternoon.  Jack Cox was then rewarded for all of his efforts with yet another break, completely outpacing his opposite number to score a try of his own. We were then treated to an outstanding try with Marcus Heath making the break, passing on to his elder brother Ben who was tackled and laid the ball back, Jack Cox had come from his opposite wing to pick this up on the move, make the break, hand on to Tom Bradner in support who soaked in the defence before passing on to Connor Banks for the run in. Replacement Josh Guest added the extras for the Warriors to reach the fifty-point mark.  One last try from the Warriors took them to fifty-seven points before a second yellow card of the afternoon which allowed Chosen Hill two late tries.

This was another good performance from the Warriors showing some real skill levels and the ability of players waiting in the wings.  It was a pleasure to see Liam Dray to come back after a long injury and the versatility of other front row players moving from backrow to prop and from hooker to back row.  It was great to welcome both Will Kennaugh and Jack Cox into the back five, both giving excellent performances.  The Warriors will have little experience of the game for next week which is at and against Bridgwater.  This is a real local derby which over the years has produced some exceptional matches. There is likely to be a large partisan Bridgewater crowd and their players will certainly raise their game.  We wish the Warriors well.

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