Taunton Titans defeat Loughborough University at home

The Titans demonstrated their game plan within the first ten minutes by dominating possession as without the ball Loughborough were restricted from an expansive game, writes Mike Amos.

The first possession Loughborough had they were able to burst through but some excellent chasing back by Ben Heath and finally Dan Martin not only showed how quick they both are but their determination to keep the students out.  

On 25-minutes centre Isaac Campbell-Wu made the half break with a hand off. Rolled in the next tackle and off loaded to Ratu Vakalutukali in support.  

Our other player from the Pacific Islands, hooker Vaea (Elvis) Taione, the “grandfather” of the side, was in support and scored the try for Louie Sinclair to convert.  

The front five acted as first receiver and driving at the opposition were tying in the pacey students and causing them to concede penalties and on 34-minutes Louie kicked the penalty to extend the lead to 10-points.  

The Titans “rush” defence was stopping the students making any headway and the chip over the top was well marshalled by the back three of Dan Martin, Henry Webb and Ben Heath and so Loughborough’s very talented outside half Ben Taylor produced a grubber kick on 36-minutes for Loughborough centre Cross to race on to and score the try which Taylor converted.  

Almost from there start Loughborough conceded the penalty and Louis put the ball into touch.  The ever-majestic Sam Leworthy who dominated the lineout won the ball to set up the maul.  The ever-alert Vakalutukali quickly moved the ball around the touchline for Elvis to gather and run in for the try which Louie converted.  

The half ended with the Titans leading 17-7.

Early in the second half, moving the ball, the Titans then knock on and the referee allows the advantage which Loughborough duly accepted for Godsall to score the try which Taylor converted.  

Just three-minutes later and Dan Martin bursts into the line for the try which Louie converts and the ten-point advantage is again restored.

This lead only lasted for five minutes when we saw the devastating pace of Loughborough wing Tom Rowe score for Taylor again to convert.  

Just three-minutes later and this time we saw the pace of the Titans own number 14 who coupled with his dancing feet left the opposition groping at shadows before racing away for a try under the posts for Louie to convert.  

It was on 67-minutes that the Titans other wing Henry Webb outpaced the opposition defence to score the try which Louie converted and there became a 17-point lead with just twelve minutes left.  

The students did not roll over and just two minutes later Tom Rowe went in for his second try of the afternoon which Taylor converted and then almost from the re-start Loughborough centre Kean scored Loughborough’s fifth try for Taylor to convert and the Titans with eight minutes left had a slender 3-point lead.

It was then that the experience of Elvis who orchestrated, ably supported by Ben Oliphant Thompson coupled with Sam Leworthy and Sam Prior using all of their strength, power and experience to retain possession and run down the clock to secure an excellent win and keep the Titans in third place in the league.

The game brought to the end the career of Sam Prior who has served the club well over the last thirteen years and we give him pour thanks.