TAUNTON Titans head coach Tony Yapp said ‘uncharacteristic mistakes’ were the defining factor in Saturday’s first defeat of the season at Cambridge, after the league leaders were beaten 32-19 on the road (click here for full report).

The Titans were made to pay for slow start to the game, as the hosts took charge from the first whistle – and Yapp admitted Cambridge had been ‘good for their win’.

He said: “It's always tough to travel so far and not pick up any points, but I must say Cambridge were good for their win.

“We didn't really start well, with Cambridge making the most of some uncharacteristic mistakes from us - and they kept the pressure on for large periods of the game.

“Our performance was okay and there was no lack of effort from the players, but we knew beforehand that an okay performance probably wouldn't be enough to get a win on this trip and so it proved.

“This week we welcome Bishops Stortford to Hyde Park - a team we've had some very close games with over the last couple of seasons and who pipped us to second spot last season.

“It'll be great to welcome back a few players who've missed the last couple of weeks through injury and holidays - and there will certainly be no lack of intensity in training this week as we aim to get back to winning ways before a weekend off for the World Cup final.”

Forwards coach, Chris Brown said: “It’s a disappointing result, but we never really got into gear.

“Credit to Cambridge, they came out firing and did not let off - we were hanging on for long periods of the game and could not get the gain line we wanted.

“Our set-piece was pleasing, but we never provided enough penetration to create sustained pressure.

“The pace of the game was high and we never managed to stop the flow, - and probably left ourselves too much to do.

Cambridge were good value for their win - both sides played expansive rugby, but they made less errors and created more pace in the breakdown.

“That said, we have played some great stuff this year and must remember there is a long way to go.”

Titans will be hoping to return to winning ways when they welcome last season’s second-placed side, Bishops Stortford to Hyde Park (2pm).

Bishops have had a mixed start to the season - having beaten Cambridge and have scored 30 tries already this season, but they have lost twice on the road already this season against Dorking and Old Albanians.

The Titans would love to make it three losses for Bishops, but know that any performance below their best could see them staring at a second successive defeat.

The coaches and players would have been disappointed by the level of performance last week after reviewing the game and with some players that have been away back in training this week, the intensity would have surely been raised ahead of the game.

Last weekend saw the return of Charlie Walker-Blair in a Titans shirt after several injuries last season, but he was upstaged by Harry Strong who scored at try on his starting debut.

Harry, who is a student at Bicton College, is part of the England U20’s set up and is hoping to impress both the Titans and England coaches so he can get a run of games at National Two level.