National 2 South

Taunton Titans 34, Redruth 17

TAUNTON Titans picked up their fifth successive bonus-point win as they comfortably saw off the challenge of Redruth in front of a sizable crowd at Hyde Park.

Two first-half tries from the in-form Aron Struminski got the Titans up and running, while Ratu Vakalutukali and Andrew Hamilton added their names to the scoresheet after the break.

The hosts came roaring out the traps and, after a Gary Kingdom penalty had established a 3-0 lead, Taunton worked through several phases before the ball was worked out to Struminski.

An electric turn of pace from the winger did the rest, as he cleverly made use of Sam Prior outside him to create the space to burst through on the right hand side for a try which Kingdom converted to put Taunton 10-0 up before the visitors had even touched the ball.

Redruth came into the game as the half wore on, but sloppy handling continually let them down as the drizzle fell steadily throughout the first 40 minutes.

There was no stopping Struminski, however, and the jet-heeled winger added his second of the game – and eighth of the season – with a superb individual effort, sprinting clear of two challenges to run home from the Redruth 10 metre line.

A Kingdom penalty from 40 metres out sailed through the middle on the stroke of half-time as the Titans went into the break with a 20-0 advantage, but Redruth came out determined to make amends for a poor first-half display and got themselves on the scoreboard when James Hodge rolled over.

The conversion was missed, and Taunton went on to stretch their lead when Ratu Vakalutukali, who had an excellent game and was a menace at the breakdown all afternoon, picked up a deserved try when he went over after a catch and drive.

Following a try for Redruth’s Connor Gilbert, the Titans secured their fifth bonus point in as many matches when, from another rolling maul at the lineout, Andrew Hamilton was in the right place at the right time to dot down.

Kingdom, who enjoyed a blemish-free afternoon with the boot, stroked home the conversion from the left-hand touchline and a late try for Redruth’s Samuel Stevens did little to dampen spirits on another victorious Saturday for the Titans.

The only drawback for the hosts was a late injury to scrum-half Conor Littlewood, who was stretchered off after picking up an injury in the closing minutes.