National Two South

Worthing Raiders 27 Taunton Titans 23

IN another tight, tense and exciting game between these two sides, with the lead changing hand six times, it was the home team that ended the game as well-deserved winners, writes Keith Brooking.

Their disciplined performance dented the Titans’ push to keep in touch with the top two teams.

It was the visitors who scored first after just two minutes through a penalty from the boot of Gary Kingdom, before the home side took the lead with a well-worked try for winger Sam Aspland-Robinson who finished off a backs move that cut the Titans defence open.

Fellow winger Matthew McLean kicked the conversion and it was these two wingers who scored all the Raiders points with McLean claiming 17 points from the boot.

The Titans reclaimed the lead while Worthing were down to 14 men, with a try from centre Freddie Fraser, after a cross-field kick was tapped back by Jack Claydon.

In the build-up to that, Worthing had another sent to the sin bin for a tip tackle.

However the ill-discipline of the Titans helped the Raiders tie the score 8-8 while they were down to 13 men, thanks to a great defensive display and some expert game management.

The try of the day came from Titans prop Jake Woolmore who, as the Titans tried to raise the pace of the game, cut a great line to run back against the grain and run it in from the 22 metre line.

This was converted by Kingdom but, once again, the Titans penalty count - which was on the rise - helped Worthing reduce the deficit.

Sam Prior was sent to the sin bin and the home side kicked a penalty to make the half time score 11-15.

The second half continued as the first half finished, with the Titans giving away needless penalties and McLean kicking them from all angles.

He added another two penalties, three in total, while the Titans were down to 14, to give the home team the lead 17-15 before Kingdom dropped a goal to claim it back.

Both teams brought on fresh legs but it was the Raiders who kicked on with a second try for Aspland-Robinson and two more penalties to take a 27-18 lead.

The Titans got a try back through Dan Frost, but the home side - with the experienced heads leading the way - held on for the win.

Titans welcome Clifton to Hyde Park on Saturday.

Taunton Titans: Kingdom, Mason (Massy-Birch 40), Fraser, Tichias, J Claydon, East, Webb, Prior (Hales 72), Fleming (Capt) (Frost 60), Skinner, 5 Hales (Davis 60), Harvey, Owlett (T Claydon 72), Gatford (Spurdle 62), Woolmore.

Attendance: 521