National One Rugby: Chinnor 80-10 Taunton Titans

TOP versus bottom was always going to be a big challenge for the Titans' visit nine miles East of Oxford to take on Chinnor, writes Hugh Duder.

In the end, the scoreline reflected a comfortable win for the hosts, 80-10, and the result leaves Taunton Titans languishing at the bottom of the table.

However, they did manage to go in front courtesy of a Louie Sinclair penalty.

The first two tries from Chinnor resulted from fundamental errors by Taunton, a misguided kick and a crooked throw in, 14-3.

After 18 minutes Chinnor went in again in the corner followed three minutes later gaining their bonus point to lead 26-3.

Taunton had no answer to their hosts domination and were constantly pinned in their own half.

On 37 minutes a catch and maul the ball spun wide for a lead on half time, 33-3 not before Frankie Dart was shown a yellow card.

More of the same after the break as Chinnor scored three times in quick succession to extend their lead to 52-3.

They defended well as Titans with some possession of their own pressed for a score, but Chinnor broke for a further score on 62 minutes.

59-3 soon to become 66-3 followed by a Warboys interception, his hattrick and the former Taunton number 10 ended the match with a tally of 35 points - three tries and 10 conversions.

Not to be completely out done, Titans who never gave up had the first and last say when Charlie Wright intercepted and ran half the length of the pitch to dot down leaving Sinclair an easy conversion.

Taunton are learning there is no substitute for pace especially on the wing.

They are also suffering being unable to select an unchanged XV in consecutive matches for varying reasons.

Full marks to Harrison Friday who was thrown in at the deep end at scrum half to make his debut against a potentially Championship level team.

A week off this week before Titans face a relegation battle against Bishops Stortford on March 9 at Veritas Park in Taunton.

By then, head coach Tony Yapp hopefully will have a fully fit squad to select from, so get down and support your local side as they fight to avoid the drop.