National One Rugby: Taunton Titans 37-31 Cinderford

Taunton Titans gave themselves a lifeline with an impressive display to beat Cinderford 37-31in the basement battle in front of a crowd of 1400, their biggest of the season, writes Richard Walsh.

This result lifts the Titans off the bottom of the table and they travel to Blackheath for their final match of the season with all to play for.

Playing in light blue shirts the hosts were cheered out by a guard of honour consisting of many of their mini and junior players and took the lead in the fourth minute when Louie Sinclair slotted home a long range penalty.

The game was fast and furious and the hosts continued to put pressure on the visitors line, but it seemed to be impenetrable as each attack was held up just short of the line.

Cinderford opened their tally on 10 minutes when almost against the run of play the ball was passed out wide on the left where Tom Samak found himself in space and ran into score a try which Knight converted.

Shortly after Cinderford doubled their score when Harry Cowan ran down the left wing before touching down behind the posts which Samak converted.

Leading 14-3 Cinderford looked to be a well drilled and confident team and every time that they came forward looked threatening.

Taunton then created a couple of chances but on each occasion they came to nothing.However in the 26th minute they were rewarded when Will Vaughan went in for a try just left of the posts which Sinclair added the extras to.

Cinderford replied strongly and five minutes later scored an unconverted try making it 10-19.

The game continued to be played at a frantic pace and in the 38th minute the hosts were awarded a penalty which Sinclair kicked . Very soon afterwards Cinderford had Samak yellow carded and during his absence just before the break Frankie Dart scored a try which Sinclair converted to put the hosts into a 20-19 lead at half time.

After the interval the Titans came out with renewed vigour and almost from the kick off extended their lead when Oscar Stewart received the ball well inside his own half and ran to the try line shaking off a couple of tackles before touching down behind the posts for a try Sinclair duly converted.

The hosts side stayed in the ascendancy and after 52 minutes Sam Leworthy scored a try which Sinclair converted.

On the hour Taunton extended their lead thanks to a penalty that was kicked by Sinclair.

Despite being 37-19 down Cinderford continued to threaten and with five minutes of normal time remaining they produced a series of attacks close to the line, which the Titans repelled. On the occasion they managed to cross the line the referee decided the ball was held up.

The visitors continued to exert pressure on the Taunton defence and eventually from a Cinderford line out the ball was worked across the backs and they scored a converted try to make it 37-26.

As the minutes ticked away Taunton were reduced to 14 when replacement Sam Knott was yellow carded and almost from the final move of the match Cinderford scored an unconverted try, shortly after which the referee blew the final whistle much to the delight of the players and the crowd.

This was a rousing performance by Taunton Titans and an apt way for them to end their home season.

Whether they survive or not will depend on them winning next week and other results going in their favour, but on this showing they didn’t look like a side facing relegation.