National League Division 2 South
Taunton Titans 38, Henley Hawks 27

THE Titans looked like frustrating their fans once again after letting a lead slip against Henley Hawks, but a surge in the last 10 minutes secured victory for the hosts.

Dan Frost scored a hat-trick of tries in an attractive game which saw the Titans dominate the first half, only to struggle to get any ball in the second period - until the decisive conclusion to the match.

After the Titans' pre-match meal (held every home game but this week attracting a bumper 300 guests) and England's triumph over Argentina, it was the turn of two sides renowned for exciting rugby and throwing the ball out wide to be the centre of attention.

Two Gary Kingdom penalties had the Titans 6-3 up before Dan Frost and Oli Massy-Birch combined, the ball was kicked through and Lewis Webb picked up to score, with Kingdom adding the extras for 13-3.

The Titans were then rewarded for sustained pressure, as a lineout and drive eventually saw Frost go over, this time the conversion missed.

But the Hawks gave a warning of their danger with a move down their right, with quick hands leading to a converted try by George Jackson that made it 18-10 on the half-hour.

It only took the Titans three minutes to respond - again a lineout and drive, again Frost crossing - but straight from the kick-off a Titans mix-up allowed the Hawks to build a move finished off by Barnab Abdale-Weir.

The half ended with a long delay for an injury to a Hawks player, the teams going in at the interval with the Titans up 23-17.

The Hawks were much sharper from the restart and a converted try three minutes into the half meant they led for the first time in the match.

Things only got worse for the home side, with Frost sin-binned and a penalty giving the Hawks a 27-23 advantage.

The Hawks now were stealing lineout ball and making line breaks seemingly at will as the Titans struggled to find any response, but two missed penalty opportunities looked costly for the visitors - and so it proved.

With seven minutes to go, a quick tap penalty released replacement Nick Mason who went close, Webb closer, and finally Alec Chase scored - Kingdom converting for 30-27.

That bonus-point try seemed to shatter the Hawks' spirits, as just three minutes after that the Titans broke again and Frost dived over for his hat-trick.

A penalty in the dying minutes from Kingdom wrapped up the game for the hosts, 38-27.