National Two South

Cambridge 32 Taunton Titans 19

TAUNTON Titans came back down to earth with a bump and lost their unbeaten start to the season when they were well beaten by a very impressive Cambridge side.

Taunton had no complaints about the result and were comfortably beaten by a team who seemed quicker in thought and deed all over the pitch.

The hosts started the game at a lively tempo and ran the ball at every opportunity, causing the Titans issues and leaving them scrambling in defence.

After four minutes, Cambridge opened the scoring with a try through Mike Ayrton out wide.

After a missed kick to touch Cambridge ran the ball back and after a couple of quick tapped penalties and some strong running by the home backs, they went over in the corner.

Cambridge soon increased their lead with a second try after a scrum on the Titans five metre line.

The Titans then got themselves back in the game with a try for centre Harry Strong on his starting debut.

After a cross field kick from Toby East was gathered by Aron Stuminski, the winger took the contact and offloaded to Strong, who barged his way over.

This was the closest the Titans got to Cambridge as they scored another try before the break.

The second-half was more of the same, with Cambridge running in another two tries and kicking a penalty – and they were once again getting the rub of the green, with the bounce of the ball, which was probably down to the continuous energy they brought to the game.

The Titans also managed to score two more tries - one through wing Jack Claydon, who once again showed great speed and strength to score.

From a scrum, number eight Barrie-John Chapman carried it over the gain line. 

Then after several phases from the backs and forwards, the ball was shipped out to Claydon who spotted a mismatch, stepped the defender deep in his own half then wrong footed the full back before out pacing the covering defence.

This try was converted by Gary Kingdom who also converted the Titans third try with the last play of the game.

After a quick tap penalty by replacement scrum-half Oli Claxton, the Titans once again showed great control, putting the ball through several phases before Lewis Webb, who had moved to fly-half, fed Jake Woolmore who burst through the gap to score.

This was a disappointing display by the Titans who will be looking to put it behind them and regroup ahead of the home game against Bishops Stortford.

However on this evidence, Cambridge look to be a good bet to be one of the sides pushing for the top spot come the end of the season and if the Titans want to be amongst them, they will need to improve.

Taunton Titans: Kingdom (Capt), Struminski, Mason, Strong, J Claydon, East (Claxton 60), Webb, Chapman, Frost (Walker-Blair), Harvey, Turner (Davis 48), Persey, Caulfield (T Claydon 65), Gatford (Spurdle 58), Woolmore