TAUNTON Titans head coach Tony Yapp believes the hard work is beginning to pay off for Nick Mason (pictured), after the centre ran in five tries during his side’s 76-5 demolition of Cornish All Blacks at Hyde Park on Saturday.

Mason, who started at outside centre before later moving to the wing, was the star of the show in a commanding Titans win – and Yapp says it's no surprise that his rise to form has coincided with a period of hard work in the gym.

Yapp said: “Talking of working hard, I can't go without mentioning someone who was set the challenge of gaining more weight in the gym to make him stronger as a player.

“It just so happened that player Nick Mason scored five tries on the weekend and was outstanding.

“Is it a coincidence that since Nick has been working hard in the gym he's been scoring tries for fun and is becoming very difficult to stop? I think not.”

Defeats to Chinnor, Cambridge and Redruth have all-but-ended Titans hopes of a top-two finish in National Two South, but that has given Yapp the opportunity to take a closer look at some fringe players and the head coach was satisfied with the way they performed.

He said: “With players missing, Saturday was also a great opportunity to involve some fringe players and give them a chance to get some good game time in a Titans shirt.

“Tim Thompson got promoted to start after making his debut last week as substitute and both Stuart Heal and Dave Edwards impressed coming off the bench to also make their debuts.”

Titans welcome second-place Old Albanians to Hyde Park on Saturday, kick-off is 3pm.