TAUNTON Titans secured a bonus point against a very determined Hornets side who challenged them throughout the game and scored three tries of their own.
The game seemed to hinge around three factors: a solid and determined defence by the Titans, a speed to the breakdown and strict discipline.
They only gave away two penalties in the first half to Hornets' seven, and a further two in the second half to Hornets' eight.
Some of the tackling from the Titans was outstanding especially from the wings and fullbacks when Hornets created overlaps.
For the first four minutes of the game, the Titans were under the “cosh” with Hornets having nearly all of the possession and also winning the Taunton lineouts.
The Titans defence was solid and Hornets were penalised because of the speed of the Titans to the breakdown and so it was not a surprise when on the 10-minute mark the Titans kicked one of the penalties to the corner, won the lineout and drove for the line, with Alex Spurdle controlling the maul, so he went in for the try which Louis Sinclair converted.
The Titans started to gain more possession and only some stout defence from Hornets prevented the Titans adding to that opening score.
Jay Toogood was providing quality balls from the breakdowns and Louis Sinclair was varying the game with him taking deep balls and setting the backs going however Jay would also miss Louis and provide flatter balls straight to inside centre Jermaine Jones who would drive straight at the Hornets defence at pace.
So often he broke the gain line and good support carried the move on.
Eventually Jemaine was rewarded on 22 minutes with the try which Louis added the conversion, giving the Titans a fourteen-point lead.
From the kick off, the Titans again attacked but gave away one of their two penalties of the half allowing Hornets to clear with a kick to the corner.
Hornets won the lineout and mauled towards the Titans line. Former Taunton player Chris Francis scored the try for Hornets which was converted.
The game ebbed and flowed with Hornets making some good breaks but credit must go to the back three and especially Lucas Yapp who nailed their man.
The Hornets penalty count was increasing and on 37 minutes the Titans converted one of the penalties to increase their lead.
So, the half ended with the Titans leading 17 points to 7.
The second half started at a real pace with Hornets' determination being rewarded with a try after only two minutes of the re-start. The conversion was missed and the Titans lead was reduced to just five points.
This seemed to inspire Hornets, but the Titans defence was resolute and with some well managed changes to the team, the Titans started to dominate play.
On 62 minutes, debutant Ben Heath took a superb ball from Jermaine on one of his bursts at the defence and showed his sidestepping and acceleration for the break to feed the ever-dependant Charlie Wright to score the try, which Louis converted.
Still Hornets came back and started a “purple patch” of possession and domination eventually breaking the Titans defence.
From a maul, they scored a converted try and reduced the deficit to just five-points and nine-minutes remaining.
From the re-start, the Titans harried the catcher and won the penalty.
This time, the ball came back and with a long pass to Charlie Spurr on the wing. He went over for the fourth and bonus point try which Louis again converted.
There were just two minutes of the game left on the clock, but the referee indicated four.
The Titans again attacked and, with just one minute of the game left, were awarded a penalty which Louis converted to give the Titans a winning margin of fifteen-points.
Jermaine Jones deservedly won the Man of the Match award, not only for his attacking prowess but his defence and guidance and talking to the young lads around him.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here