Somerset 2 South

Taunton Wanderers 40, Winscombe 2nds 15

TAUNTON Wanderers secured the Somerset 2 South title thanks to a bonus-point win over nearest challengers Winscombe 2nds, writes Rob Chilcott.

Having not played for four weeks this was a real test but Ben Warwicker went some way to calming any nerves inside the first five minutes, crashing over for a trademark try.

James Devlin took over kicking duties and duly converted.

Hat-tricks have been something of a regular feature for the Wanderers this season and this was a great game to record the next one, James Tolman finishing off some fine handling and support play to register his first of the day.

Winscombe got on the score sheet with a penalty to take the score to 12-3 before Tolman picked up his second try after a fine move.

The visitors were excellent at spreading the ball fast and wide through their backs and got their reward through an unconverted try before half-time.

Taunton’s replacements adjusted well to the pace of the game in the second half and great work from the home pack saw Tolman pick up his hat-trick try, securing the bonus point, with Devlin again converting.

A head injury to Olly Tolman saw Robbie Miller take the reins at 10 who proceeded to have the game of his life.

The Taunton supporters were quickly playing ‘Miller Bingo’ having seen offloads, side steps, tackles, 50-yard spiral kicks and even a conversion after Jake Foster’s excellent score.

The final score for Taunton was another trademark moment for Neil Symons.

Choosing a great line in support, Symons slid through the Winscombe defence like a flat fish but rather than scoring himself set up Finbar Anderson for his first senior try having stepped up from the Colts last season.

Miller added another conversion…everyone on the sidelines was rubbing their eyes in disbelief!

Huge credit to Winscombe, who ended the scoring with a converted try to make the final score 40-15 to Taunton.

Right up until the last whistle the game was intense, physical and fast but it was with great relief and celebration that the final whistle was greeted.

A great effort by the Wanderers, who are very deserving league champions with two games still to play.