TAUNTON Titans made the perfect start to their new National League Two South campaign with a 39-22 bonus-point win at Redingensian Rams.

Hooker Jon Gatford and wing Aron Struminski both bagged braces with replacement wing Ted Landray also on the scoresheet for the Titans, who led 27-3 at the turnaround, while full-back Gary Kingdom added four conversions and two penalties.

In what was a tough opener, only five players started from the final game of last term while there were also five debutants.

The Titans got off to the perfect start with their first points of the season, quite aptly, coming from the reliable boot of Kingdom to take a three-point lead after one minute.

This lead was short-lived, however, as the home side cancelled this out with a penalty of their own five minutes later.

The rest of the half was all Titans as they asserted their game on the hosts.

The forwards were winning ball, the backs were making breaks and the defence was rock solid.

Kingdom added a second penalty before the Titans scored their first try of the season through club stalwart Gatford, who powered over close to the line.

This was converted by Kingdom who also converted Struminski’s try 10 minutes later after a great break by fly-half Nathan Huntley on his debut.

Gatford claimed his second of the game as was the beneficiary of the forwards driving maul as Kingdom converted once again to open up a 27-3 lead.

This was how the game stayed until half time even though the Titans had the chance to increase their lead when centre Freddie Fraser made a clean break and beat the defender to race in over the line.

However a combination of a lack of concentration and trying to go under the posts, he was tackled into the dead ball area.

The second period however was a different story with the home side suddenly springing to life and taking the game to the visitors.

They put the pressure on the Titans who conceded ground and possession to easily and were rewarded with their first try of the season.

The Titans scored again with Struminski getting his second of the game, showing his pace by rounding the opposition.

Redingensians then had their best part of the game as the Titans nearly through the game away with three yellow cards.

They scored two more converted tries, one of which was a penalty try.

This brought the scores to within 10 points before one of the Titans debutants, Landray, showed great poise and stood his opposite number before racing over the line to score.

Kingdom added the extras and the Titans held on for the last five minutes to claim the win and get their season off to a good start.

Redingensian Rams; Duffelen; Rossiter, Souter, Barnes, McDermottroe; Atkins (Chandler 59), Cole (Crocker 59); Weller, Henderson (Paxton 74), Steadman (Baker 40), Bryson, Guttridge, Kharbouch, Nightingale (Taylor 40), Vooght.

Tries: Kharbouch 46, Guttridge 58, Penalty try; Cons: Atkins 58, Chandler 70; Pen: Atkins 5.

Taunton Titans; Kingdom; Struminski, Fraser, Popham (capt), Bright (Landray 46); Huntley, Webb; Claydon (Caulfield 46), Gatford, Owlett, Persey (Frost 40), Lugg (Gibbs 68-79 Harvey 79), Harvey (Persey 78), Vakalutukali, Prior (Claydon 58, Childs 68).

Tries: Gatford 18, 32, Struminski 28, 53, Landray 72; Cons: Kingdom 18, 28, 32, 72; Pens: Kingdom 1, 7.

Referee: Daniel Collins