Taunton Titans defeated at home by Luctonians side

On a bright and sunny afternoon at Summerfield Stadium, Nick Mason led out the Titans to recognise his 200th appearance for the team, writes Mike Amos.

Whatever the new coaching team have done really did show as wave after wave of Luctonians attacks were repelled by a superbly well-organised defence.

The constant Luctonians pressure was eventually rewarded on 17 minutes with a try from the Luctonians wing Robert Aikman, which Jones converted to give Luctonians a seven-point lead.

The Titans were gradually winning more possession, and with the ball in hand were showing their ability, and in defence Luctonians were conceding penalties, for which on 27 minutes they received their first of three yellow cards in the match.

The resultant lineout from the penalty was driven to the line, and Archie Spokes went in for the try, which Tom Putt converted to level the scores. 7-7.

Just three minutes later and Luctonians have a second yellow card and the two-man advantage for the Titans allowed Andrew Humberstone to use his pace and power in the centre to go in for the try, which Tom Putt converted and gave the Titans a seven-point lead. 14-7.

With just two minutes of the half left, Luctonians were restored to 15 players and the Titans conceded the penalty. The lineout from the penalty was won by Luctonians and some well-organised defence kept the driving maul out and the ball was held up. A scrum to Luctonians was awarded and with a number eight pick-up the try was scored. The conversion was missed and the half finished with the Titans holding a slender two-point lead. 14-12.

Just four minutes into the second half and Luctonians wing Aikman shrugged off two attempted tackles but was unable to get past Reece Malone who made a try saving tackle, however, the follow up by Luctonians hooker Ben Link resulted in the try which Jones converted and Luctonians were back in the lead. 14-19.

Just five minutes later and Ben Link was there again when a throw which went over the top of the lineout was gathered by him and an easy run in for the try. 14-26.

The magic of Tom Putt was shown on 54 minutes when using all of his skills he went through the gap and outsprinted the defence to score a try which he converted to take the Titans to within five points. 21-26.

Seventy-three minutes and Luctonians kick a penalty and one of their players receives a yellow card. 21-29

Seventy-five minutes and Tom kicks penalty just five points behind again. 24-29.

In the dying seconds, Oscar Kolowski went in for a try in the corner which is then ruled out as coming from a forward pass.

Titans travel up to Chester on Saturday (October 18) for their next match.