Titans just too good come rain or shine

IT WAS billed as a top-of-the-table clash, but after 20 minutes there was only one team in it.

The game started in glorious sunshine with the first 10 minutes played between the two 22m lines as both teams battled for the upper hand.

The Titans made their first incursion into the Barnstaple 22 and were rewarded with a penalty which they kicked to the corner. From the lineout the ball was spun wide before it was worked back the other way for hooker Chris Francis to go over in the corner for his first try in a Titans shirt.

Barnstaple closed the gap with a penalty from flyhalf Jake Murphy before the Titans took control and dominated the rest of the game – something that didn’t go unnoticed by Barnstaple head coach Steve Perry.

“Today was a pretty sobering experience and will hopefully keep the boys grounded. I hope they will learn from this and move on,” he said.

“Taunton were excellent and ruthless. After last week’s win we were on a big high, this week is a big low, but we have to pick ourselves up and look forward to next week.

“That’s the good thing about league rugby – you get a chance to put things right straight away. So we will move on, have a good week training and look forward to next week.”

Once the home side started to keep hold of the ball and move through the phases they started to find holes and the first to capitalise was full-back Gary Kingdom, who scored under the posts.

Straight from the kickoff centre Rob Allen followed suit and went under the posts to score his first try for the Titans, which was followed by a

brace for winger Aron Struminski before the half-time whistle was blown. Kingdom converted four of the tries and added a penalty for a half-time score of 34-3.

During the break the weather took a turn for the worst and the heavens opened, which could have given the visitors a chance to get back into game as the conditions made it hard for both teams.

But the Titans kept the ball in hand and Kingdom added two further penalties before No.8 Sam Prior barged his way over and fellow backrower Dan Frost also dotted down. With Kingdom converting one of the tries it made the score final score 52-3.

Titans head coach Tony Yapp said: “We are obviously really pleased with the result as there was a little bit of pressure coming into the game as we were both two from two. Barnstaple are obviously a good side and have started the season well and for any team to beat Redruth you know they are going to be a threat.

“So for us to score 50 points is great but the biggest thing for me was to only concede three, and the fact that we controlled the game for large parts which is down to the players and their attitude.”