Ratu in at the double as visitors put up a real fight

By MIKE AMOS

Taunton………….28pts Cinderford……… 17pts

Action stations: Joe Atkins breaches the Cinderford defence and, right, Ratu Vakalutukali scores

PICTURES: Gary House

IF possession and forward power and dominance win games, then Cinderford should have been out sight within the first 15 minutes.

The Titans only got into the Cinderford half twice during this period and had to defend four penalties.

Eventually, the Titans were able to clear their line and after 20 minutes completely against the run of play they kicked to the Cinderford 22.

They won the line-out and mauled to the line with several forward drives. The ball came back, and Joe Snow showed the opposition the ball, they took the bait, and he strolled in for the opening try. Louie Sinclair converted, and The Titans led.

Cinderford again came back with possession and the Titans continued to give away penalties and, as a result, received a yellow card for continued scrum infringements.

Their 14 players defended well but after another penalty was given away, Cinderford hooker Nathan Taylor scored from a catch-and-drive.

Cinderford coach Clive Stewart-Smith commented that this is where his side lost the game, not being able to capitalise on their dominance.

The visitors started and continued to dominate the second half with possession, and were held up again over the line from another penalty, showing the strength of the Titans defence.

However, the pressure gradually told and Taylor went over for his second.

Then there was a bit of Oliver Devoto brilliance, as he broke out from his own 22 and fed Ratu Vakalutukali who made a superb break and surprisingly kicked ahead.

But Oscar Kolowski followed up the kick and collected to score. Sinclair converted.

There was then more to come for the Titans as Ben Oliphant-Thompson picked up from the back of a scrum and drove at the defence before

Vakalutukali went in for the fourth and try-bonus point score.

The Titans were gaining more possession, and their scrum was starting to gain momentum, although Cinderford scored another converted try after 68 minutes through Sam Allford.

With just 10 minutes remaining, the Titans not only held on but started to dominate, and could have scored again.

Star man Vakalutukali not only scored two tries but was at the front of much of the defence and attack in a solid allround team display.

Tony Yapp, the Titans coach, said: “I’m happy with the win, and pleased at how the team were brave enough to keep playing even though they were up against it for periods, and how well they were able to build on the score in the second half.”