National 2 South
Clifton 5, Taunton Titans 25

THE Titans' recent resurgence in form continued on Saturday as they won away at mid-table Clifton to move into fourth position in the National 2 South standings.

In bitterly cold conditions the Titans took an early 6-0 lead courtesy of two Gary Kingdom penalties before, after a sustained period of pressure, Sam Prior crashed over for the opening try, which Kingdom converted to put the visitors 13-0 ahead.

With Clifton down to 14 men, the Titans went through the phases until Matt Tichias saw his chance and scored in the corner.

The try was unconverted, but still the away side led 18-0 at half time.

As snow started to come down, the hosts got themselves on the scoreboard with an unconverted try of their own, to trail 18-5.

Clifton pressure saw the Titans reduced to 13 men at one point in the second period, as both Sean Lonsdale and Dan Frost were sent to the sin bin, but crucially the visitors did not give up further points.

And once they were back up to full strength they killed the game off by scoring a penalty try, converted by Kingdom.

There was to be no try-scoring bonus point, but a 25-5 victory in tough conditions was a satisfactory result - and revenge for Clifton's 32-30 win at Hyde Park earlier in the season.

Taunton now sit fourth in the National 2 South table, leapfrogging Redruth - they are one point behind third-placed Old Elthamians and six points off the top two, Chinnor and Bishop's Stortford.

The latter visit Hyde Park next Saturday, for a 3pm kick-off.

Taunton Titans: G Kingdom, T Popham, N Mason (c), M Tichias, F Fraser, T East, L Webb; T Rhodes, A Spurdle, E Roofe, S Persey, S Lonsdale, A Gibbs, R Vakalutukali, S Prior. Replacements: J Gatford, J Caulfield, B Lugg, D Frost, B Field.