National One Rugby: Rosslyn Park 38-14 Taunton Titans

TAUNTON Titans were on the receiving end of yet another defeat at the weekend, this time away from home against Rosslyn Park, writes Hugh Duder.

The match in the National One Rugby finished 38-14 in favour of Rosslyn Park as they were too good for the Taunton Titans.

The Titans arrived in London without Banks, Burrows and Tuima all missing injured.

In came Massey-Birch, Gosling and Dart with Sinclair returning to fly-half and Dan Martin moving to centre.

Ideal conditions prevailed only for Park to come out stronger scoring out wide for 5-0 after only three minutes.

A period of Titans domination ended with the visitors twice spilling the ball with the whitewash in front of them.

A penalty ensued plus some backchat and Park took advantage of Titans indiscipline for 12-0 and looked to run away with proceedings.

They then broke through Titans central defence for their third try on 25 minutes and led 19-0 and hope looked lost for the visitors.

Titans went on the attack but gave away penalties at the wrong time and they proved costly giving possession away to Park, who fortunately for Taunton then fluffed their own lines.

Titans number four saw a yellow for a deliberate knock on 38 minutes gone and at half time it was 19-0 to the hosts.

With a slight wind on their backs, Titans looked to register their first score and within minutes the Somerset side pulled one back with a lovely bit of play that resulted in Deago Bailey scoring under the posts for a converted try, 19-7.

Titans needed to settle but were undone again as Park scored out wide on 50 minutes and led 26-7.

This was followed shortly after as their prolific scoring winger Charlie Walker went over in the corner for 31-7.

With five minutes remaining, Charlie Wright scored Titans second try after a pick and go and this try highlighted Taunton's skills with the ball in hand, however it was too little too late.

A late yellow card for Brian Ncube allowed Park to score on the last play to make it 38-14 and bring to an end a difficult day for the travelling Titans.

That score line did not do justice to the West Country side who did show flashes of their undoubted ability.

Next up is Chinnor away from home as the Titans will look to bounce back with a win, one that would be vital in their push for safety from relegation.