Taunton Titans defeated in friendly match at Cardiff Uni

The University hosted Taunton on their 3G pitch in this pro-season match, writes Hugh Duder.

The Titans gave starting debuts to six new players with three more on the bench.

Ideal conditions prevailed.

The Cardiff students, fit from a six-week training camp, made sure they started well, taking the lead after 5 minutes.

Titans themselves then started to piece together some constructive rugby without threatening the try line.

On 21 minutes Cardiff scored their second try, converted to lead 12-0.

Taunton responded well with some attacking moves and on 32 minutes were awarded a penalty try 12-7; ending the half in the ascendancy.

Cardiff opened the second period on 45 minutes with a converted try followed by another, this time unconverted, to lead 24-7.

Not to be outplayed, the visitors made changes, scoring back-to-back tries.

On 60 minutes Ben Parsons, taking an offload from Freddie Elliott, scored 24-12.

That became 24-19 as Titans forwards drove forward with Freddie Elliott joining in and scoring.

Cardiff came back with determination to increase their lead to 31-19.

On 79 minutes Matt Whitlock scored, converted by Archie Dawson after great team inter-passing.

Final score 31-26.

This was an encouraging run-out for Titans with less than two weeks until their first league game on September 4 against the Devonport Services (7.45pm ko.).

Titans’ Head Coach, Tony Yapp, gave his squad full praise for their effort on the day, highlighting their willingness to engage and play against strong opposition, which will hold them in good spirit to reach their ambition to compete at the top of their league.