TAUNTON 3rds won 22-21 at Minehead 2nds in Tribute Somerset 2 South on Saturday.

They entered the game full of confidence but made a poor start, conceding ten early points.

Taunton, knicknamed the Wanderers, found it tough to get out of their half as Minehead placed great booming kicks into the bottom corner.

The running lines of Chris Hurley in midfield and Lee Stanley taking great short balls got them into good positions but mistakes resulted in no first half points.

Taunton copied Minehead’s kicking tactics in the second half with second rows Paul Ford and Ben Gooddard enjoying the space in midfield and making massive dents in the defence.

A catch and drive from a line-out saw Gary Peter-Budge force his way over the line in the corner, Moses Tuisawau slotting the conversion from the touchline. Minehead hit back with a penalty.

More attacks and plenty of turn-over balls in the scrum by hooker Andy Farley helped the cause as did mazy runs by full back Dave Whittuck and winger Adam Harvey.

These runs resulted in the supply of fast ball and Moses crossed the try line out wide before converting his own try to earn a 14-13 lead.

The Wanderers continued to pressure the Minehead defence but it were holding fast as the sides traded penalties.

Then Taunton loose head Wayne Wiltshire blasted through the line to open up space and go inches from the try line. The ball was held up and the scrum awarded to Minehead.

A massive shunt from the pack put them backwards and after a poor pass scrum half Neil Symons flew through the air to gain the ball at full stretch to score an unconverted try to leave the score 22-17.

With time running out Minehead scored almost from the kick off after some wonderful handling that put the winger over in the corner.

Fortunately for Taunton the conversion was missed as was a long range penalty in the final seconds.

Taunton: 1 Wayne Wiltshire, 2 Andy Farley, 3 James Dean, 4 Paul Ford, 5 Ben Goddard, 6 Lee Stanley, 7 Gwillam Jones, 8 Paddy Coggan, 9 Neil Symons, 10 Moses Tuisawau, 11 Adam Harvey, 12 Chris Hurley, 13 Gavin Farley, 14 Jade Everley, 15 Dave Whittuck. Replacements: Lee Terry, Vince Carrington, Gary Peter-Budge and Ben Stewert.