National Two South

Redruth 38 Taunton Titans 3

TAUNTON Titans suffered their third defeat in a row against a well drilled, disciplined and hungry Redruth side, who overpowered them in every department, including a six try to nil whitewash, writes Keith Brooking. 

If the Titans supporters were shocked and disappointed by the Titans performance against Chinnor at home three weeks ago, the band of travelling supporters from Taunton would have been even more disheartened by the display they witnessed at Redruth.

Redruth came out all guns blazing and put the Titans under pressure immediately and scored a try on the 10 minute mark. 

With a Titans throw into the lineout five metres from their own line, which led to a missed catch, the went through the hands and straight into the arms of Redruth’s captain, Kyle Marriott who went over to score. 

With a conversion from wide out the home side took a 7-0 lead.

The Titans then managed to get their only points on the board through a penalty kicked by Gary Kingdom, after their first real venture into the Redruth half. 

From then on in it was all Redruth. Taunton failed to deal with the rampant home pack and struggled to secure any lineout ball - and without any real attacking threat on the possession they had, they failed to put any pressure on the home side.

Redruth ran in another two converted tries in the first half, one a driving maul try from a lineout and the other from a turnover after a great kick chase.

With the half time score 21-3 and Redruth playing towards their favoured Hell Fire Corner in the second half, things were always against the Titans. 

After what was sure to be some harsh words at half time, Taunton came out with a bit more purpose, but after five minutes Redruth got their fourth and bonus-point try.

The Titans still struggled to win any lineout ball and found themselves conceding another two tries with one conversion. 

With the score at 38-3 after 60 minutes, the Titans faced an even heavier defeat, but probably had their best period of the day and kept the ball for large periods of time and finally put pressure on Redruth’s line.

However Redruth produced an aggressive, disciplined defensive set and ensured the Titans left the Rec without scoring a try for the first time in a league game for nearly three years, when they were whitewashed at promotion chasing Worthing with a makeshift team.

There are no highlights to mention from a Titans point of view, however Redruth now have a chance to push on for a possible play off place especially as they host second placed Old Albanians this Saturday.

One thing that this result did prove, is that Taunton still aren't ready to push on from this league and need to fine tune a few things as well as find the steel within the team that can provide the attitude and discipline to go to places like Redruth and come away from Hell Fire Corner without getting burnt.