National 2 South
Taunton Titans 13, Chinnor 13

THIS was a great advert for National 2 rugby and wouldn’t have looked out of place in the higher leagues with the intensity and physicality shown by both teams, writes Keith Brooking.

On a greasy wet day both teams had intent to play the game at a high pace despite the conditions and it was the Titans that took the game to the league leaders from the kick-off, rewarded with a penalty after three minutes which was kicked by full back Gary Kingdom.

As the teams settled down the home side disrupted Chinnor’s lineout and stopped the league leaders from getting into their rhythm.

With flanker Alex Waddingham sinbinned in the first half after not retreating 10 meters from a Lewis Webb quick tap the hosts had a chance to extend their lead but let the opportunities slip.

Chinnor’s fly-half Sam Angell kicked the visitors' first points of the game with a penalty which levelled the scores but Chinnor were reduced to 14 men once again on the stroke of half time - Junior Fatialofa going to the bin.

In the second half Chinnor started to take the upper hand and the visitors broke the deadlock with a try scored by back row Tom Burns after the pack picked and went around the corner several times on the Titans line.

Angell converted the try and then kicked a penalty 15 minutes later after the forwards won a penalty in the scrum to make the score 3-13 with just over 10 minutes to go.

Taunton upped the pace and were rewarded with a second penalty through Kingdom to close the gap.

They then kicked on again to force the mistake which allowed winger Richard Bright to capitalise and race around under the posts to score, Kingdom adding the conversion to draw level.

With two minutes to go Taunton went on the attack once again and Kingdom lined up a drop goal to win the game, but it was pushed wide for the final whistle to blow.

Titans head coach Tony Yapp said: "To come away with two points is pleasing but also there’s some frustration as we could have built more of a score in the first half - but on the other hand we could have ended with nothing.

"Chinnor are a good team with some great players and are at the top for a reason so to push them all the way is pleasing to see where we are at the half way stage."

Titans: Kingdom, Struminski, Mason (Capt), Tichias (Bright 68), Fraser, East, Webb, Chase, Gatford (Spurdle 59), Caulfield (Owlett 40), Persey, Lonsdale (Lugg 68), Harbison, Frost, Prior.

Replacements Not Used: Hooper.