Taunton Titans secure big win in front of former players

Fans, including former Titans players, saw 14 tries as Taunton ran in nine and Loughborough grabbed five, writes Mike Amos.

Taunton hogged the ball and Loughborough barely touched it in the opening ten minutes.

After two minutes Loughborough gave away a penalty and Tom Putt kicked into the corner.

Taunton secured the lineout, mauled to the line and Isaac Dalton peeled off to score the opener, converted by Putt. 7-0.

Taunton kept control, moved the ball through the phases and slick handling created space for Jay Toogood to score their second. 12-0.

Taunton kicked to touch, won it back and forced a desperate Loughborough penalty after 15 minutes.

Scott Gibson took a quick tap, dummied and burst away before sending Ben Heath clear to beat the defence.

Putt converted and, after 16 minutes, Taunton led by 19 points.

On 20 minutes Connor Cross fielded a kick and sprinted 70 metres for a solo Loughborough try, converted by Ben Webb. 19-7.

After 30 minutes scrum-half Gibson dummied, stepped through a gap and scored, with Putt converting to seal Taunton’s bonus point. 26-7.

With four minutes left in the half, Taunton drove Loughborough back from a scrum and Ratu “Toots” Vakalutukali sent Freddie Elliot in for the try.

On the stroke of half-time Taunton won a penalty and Putt chose to kick for goal.

Putt landed it and Taunton led 34-7 at the break.

Loughborough kicked to touch, won the lineout and spread it wide for winger Louis Nancekivell to score after three minutes of the half. 34-12.

Taunton worked through the phases and, from a stand-side maul near the touchline, Gibson dummied through before feeding Freddie Elliot to score. 39-12.

Three minutes later Freddie pounced on a Loughborough error and sprinted in at the corner to complete his hat-trick. 44-12.

Three minutes later Loughborough struck back as centre Henry Hawkins scored, with Cross converting. 44-19.

Three minutes later Dan Martin broke through, fed Freddie Elliot, then took the return pass to score as Putt’s conversion pushed Taunton past 50 points. 51-19.

Three minutes later Loughborough’s number nine scored their bonus-point try to make it 51-24.

Five tries flew in within 12 minutes.

In the 78th minute Nancekivell scored his second for Loughborough, then a minute later Andrew Humberstone sealed it with Taunton’s ninth. 56-29.