Taunton Warriors Vs Old Reds

An eight try bonanza by Taunton Warriors took away Old Reds10 game unbeaten record in the League and takes the Warriors to just three points behind the League leaders.  It was Tain Benson who opened the scoring for Taunton after just 4 minutes with a well worked try in the left corner which Rhodri Hopkins converted to give Taunton a seven-point lead. The few times Old Reds did have the ball in the first 15 minutes they did look dangerous, and it was only some excellent defence by the Warriors that kept Old Reds at bay.  On 15 minutes Taunton’s Michael Owen was given a yellow card and Old Reds were able to capitalise on having the extra player during that 10minutes to score two converted tries and have a seven-point lead. Restored to 15 players Taunton once again started to dominate possession and on the half hour mark Nial Crouch went over for a try which Rhodri converted to bring the scores level.  The game seemed to be drifting towards 14 points all as it neared the half time whistle, but Taunton gave away their sixth penalty of the half with just two minutes of the half remaining which Old Reds converted.  From the re-start Taunton won the ball and pressed the Old Reds line and a short pass to hooker Chris Francis saw him power over for a converted try which left the halftime score at Taunton 21 Olds Reds 17.

Coach John Wrelton brought on his three players from the bench for the start of the second half which saw a former Titans centre pairing of Tom Popham and Nick Mason as well as Chris Francis moving to prop to allow Liam Dray to take over at hooker.  With the first Taunton attack of the second half Nick Mason burst through a gap to score in the corner.  No tee could be found for Rhodri to take the conversion and so just to show his talents Rhodri had to take a drop kick at goal from five yards from the touchline which was successful and received rapturous approval from the spectators. Just two minutes later and Henry Webb went in for a try which was not converted but took the score to Taunton 33 Old Reds 17.  The Taunton scrum was now on the rampage and produced some good ball for the backs to penetrate the Old Reds defence who gave away several penalties so on 56 minutes Taunton opted for a scrum where they pushed back Old Reds.  The ball was spun into the centre and from the resultant ruck Chris Francis again powered over for his second try which was converted.  This brought up the 40 points for Taunton. Some good possession for Old Reds then saw them rewarded with their third try of the afternoon, but soon after Chris Francis went over for his third try which Rhodri converted.  With the eighty minutes up and Taunton in possession some fantastic interplay by the backs took them from deep in their own half for try number eight of the afternoon by full back Ben Alvis coming into the line to score in the corner.  This left the final score Taunton52 Old Reds 22.

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