TAUNTON TITANS 40-17 ROSSLYN PARK
SATURDAY 14TH OCTOBER
By CIARAN LYNCH
Rosslyn Park came away empty-handed from Somerset after a tough 40-17 defeat on matchday seven.
Park repelled a strong Titans side in the opening exchanges, but a couple of penalties for infringements at the scrum and breakdown kept the team pinned in their half. The pressure finally told when Taunton had multiple phases on Park’s line before Ratu Vakalutukali eventually darted over for the afternoon’s first points. A Luis Sinclair conversion gave Taunton a 7-0 lead.
Despite some great work at the line-out from Park, Taunton raced in with their second converted try of the afternoon, with Charlie Wright finding a gap in Park’s defensive line to make the score 14-0 after 22 minutes.
Two successive penalties from Sinclair moved the score to 20-0 just after the half-hour mark. Park responded with a well-worked, unconverted try by Charlie Walker after an excellent turnover at the breakdown by Co-Captain Henry Spencer. Another penalty from Sinclair right before the half was up made it 23-5 after the opening 40 minutes.
Unfortunately, the second half continued in a similar fashion, with the dominance of the Titans pack showing once again. Off the back of the penalty advantage, Taunton found a way through the Park jerseys for Noah Fenton to dot down. A successful conversion followed, extending the lead to 25 points.
Taunton kept pushing for more points in the final quarter and got their reward when Sinclair nailed yet another shot at goal after Park were penalised for a high tackle. The Titans would also earn their fourth and bonus point try through Fenton again.
With the clock winding down, Park’s frustration boiled over, and following a scuffle between Luke Baldwin and Jordan Petherbridge, both were sent to the bin for the remainder of the match.
In the final 5 minutes, Park played with pride as they went over twice, with scores coming from Matt Gordon and Charlie Walker’s second of the afternoon. Wilstead converted the latter to make the score 40-17.
A huge thank you to all Rosslyn Park fans who made the 320-mile round trip to show their support.
Referee: Adam Wookey
TAUNTON TITANS
Tries: Vakalutukali (12’), Wright (20’), Fenton (44’ 68’)
Conversions: Sinclair (13’, 21’, 45’, 69’)
Penalties: Sinclair (26’, 39’, 53’, 63’)
Yellow Card: Petherbridge (74′)
Team: Vaughan, Gosling (C), Dalton, Oliphant-Thompson, Leworthy, Vakalutakli, Wright, Prior, Petherbridge, Sinclair, Fenton, Martin, Stewart, Rice, Kitson
Replacements: Spurdle, Ncube, Wright, Clinch, De Boehmler
ROSSLYN PARK
Tries: Walker (33’, 79’ ), Gordon (73’)
Conversions: Wilstead (80’)
Yellow Card: Baldwin (74′)
Team: Cade, Piper, Wade, Spencer (CC), Burton, Martin, Bolwell, Wrafter, Baldwin, Wilstead, Marfo (CC), Kelly, Stanton, Walker, Craven
Replacements: Miller, Garvey, Bloomer, Gordon, Addams
Around The League:
Bishop’s Stortford 33-45 Sedgley Park
Chinnor 53-8 Blackheath
Cinderford 20-12 Plymouth Albion
Darlington Mowden Park 27-28 Birmingham Moseley
Leicester Lions 26-24 Rams
Sale FC 15-24 Richmond
Up Next: The league takes a two-week hiatus before we welcome Bishop Stortford at The Rock on November 4th. Match tickets can be purchased here.