TAUNTON lifted the second annual Bill Pearse/Mike Berry Challenge Cup away to Bridgwater on Sunday.

The cup, sponsored by Bill Pearse of Taunton and Bridgwater’s Mike Berry, is played every year to raise awareness of rugby in the towns and attract more youth playing members to each club.

With Taunton winning the majority of matches, the visitors lifted the trophy with pride for the second time in as many years.

Bridgwater 0, Taunton U-15 57.

THE final match, played between the clubs Under-15 teams, saw an emphatic display by the visitors against a depleted Bridgwater squad, hit with illnesses.

The hosts never gave in, and demonstrated great commitment to their club but Taunton were just too strong.

Bridgwater 12, Taunton U-14 29.

THIS match was closer than the scoreline suggests but Taunton eventually ran out as worthy winners with five tries to Bridgwater’s two.

For much of the game the scores were even but in the last quarter the Taunton forwards, led ably by Charlie Snow, overcame their opposite numbers.

Taunton score three late, unanswered tries, including an excellent second score for flying winger John Griffiths.

Man of the match award went to back row forward, Alex Stickler for an all round excellent display of running, hard tackling and goal kicking.

Bridgwater 0, Taunton U-10 8 tries.

TAUNTON U-10 impressed new coach Tom Knell as they beat Bridgwater in the clubs’ annual challenge.

The team play was very strong with quick ruck ball and strong scrumming and neat passing, which led to their eight tries.

Taunton’s team and try scorers were Luke Allum, Joe Aries, Mitch Baker (1), Richard Capstick (3), Adam Coles, Jack Cauldwell, Jack Nicol (1), Samuel Smith, Jamie Topps (1) Connor Vickery (2).

TAUNTON U-12 took and A and B team to Nailsea and Backwell at the weekend to play the hosts and Weston-super-Mare.

Taunton U-12 B 28, Weston-super-Mare 0.

FULL-back Danny Mahoney ran the length of the pitch to score Taunton’s first try against Weston, who had just played Nailsea.

Scrum half Joe Shepherd who offloaded in the tackle to fly half Jack Turnbull to score the second and, as Weston tired, Zack Tuff and Danny added further scores. Danny also converted all four tries. Man of the match went to Harry Crocker.

Taunton U-12 A 28, Nailsea and Backwell 0.

IN a replay of last season’s Cheddar Cup, Taunton full-back Oli Graham set up Tarrick Nethercott to open the scoring.

Nethercott then added a second with prop Henry Jeans scoring the third. The final try came from Graham who returned a clearance kick from Nailsea with interest as he piled through Nailsea to score. All four tries were converted by Tom Wilkinson.

TAUNTON Fillies’ two sides played host to Tavistock on Sunday.

The U-18s suffered a 55-21 defeat against a powerful, well drilled side who had a fast set of backs.

Lucy Ewers and Sarah Bebbington (2) scored the Taunton tries with Emma Small converting all three.

Taunton U-15s had a much tighter game, but went down 24-15. Good work between forwards and backs saw Amy Ferguson scoring all the Fillies’ tries. The Tavistock pack were bigger and late on, took control of the open play.

Taunton Fillies would welcome any girls aged between 12 and 18 years who would like to play rugby. Training takes place on Wednesdays between 7 and 8.30pm at Taunton RFC, Hyde Park.