WITHOUT doubt the busiest man at the London Irish Wild Geese ground in Sunbury-on-Thames last Saturday was the Irish committee man operating the scoreboard, writes Dick Macey.

Nonetheless, the Titans headed back down the M4 with a 46-32 win and five points, keeping them level with the Rams at the top of the table.

While the rugby was not of the highest order due to the drenching rain which fell throughout the game, rendering the ball more like a bar of soap than a rugby ball, the Titans proved stronger and fitter than their opponents and were able to hold the Wild Geese at bay in the last quarter.

Up to that point the two teams had traded score for score, and visions of last year’s defeat began to loom large on several occasions.

In the 2017/18 campaign, Wild Geese stopped the Titans’ quest for promotion dead in its tracks with some startling scoring, going 21-0 up in the first 15 minutes.

This time around, in their refusal to lie down and take a beating, the hosts offered stiff resistance, and in so doing they registered their first league point of the season with the try bonus.

It seemed that as fast as the Titans scored, the Irish came back at them, and on three occasions in the first half had the temerity to take the lead.

Fortunately, Gary “Donkey” Kingdom took his kicking boots with him and his ability to slot them over began to make the difference as he contributed 16 points to his own tally.

The Titans’ back row was a powerful influence from start to finish, with Ratu “Toots” Vatalutukali scoring two tries and gaining the man of the match accolade, but with Ben Oliphant-Thompson and Jarrard Hayler claiming one each the competition was fierce.

Fly-half Sam Brown, showing increasing confidence, also went over for two scores - he is a welcome addition to the Titans’ armoury.

Coach Tony Yapp will tell you that any victory gained on the road is always a plus, but if the Titans are to succeed in their quest to be in the top two this season, some perennial failings will need to be addressed.

The most notable is the continuing failure to gain benefit from their own throw at the lineout, with the first one on Saturday being a case in point.

Parked on the opposition line and the Taunton faithful waiting for the ensuing driving maul to touch down, the throw went to the home side, who cleared their lines.

This Saturday, the Titans return to the Commsplus Stadium to entertain Henley Hawks, a tough outfit recently relegated from Division 1, and you can bet your boots they will aim to knock the Titans off their perch.

Prior to the game the Friends will be hosting a carvery lunch, so what better way to begin a classic afternoon of rugby football?