Taunton Titans 29, Redruth 12

Both sides were looking to build on opening day wins in this West Country Derby, but in the end home advantage told as Taunton maintained their winning start, writes Bill Hooper.

Taunton got the first points on the board with an early Gary Kingdom penalty, Redruth then enjoyed a good spell without any luck. Winger Lewis Vinnicombe couldn’t gather his chip ahead with the line begging and then moments later full-back Matt Shepherd saw a penalty attempt just shade the upright.

The scoreboard didn’t move much until approaching half-time when Redruth were penalised for a high tackle near their line. Titans took a quick tap with prop Isaac Dalton barging his way over for Kingdom to convert.

Just before half-time Redruth got on the board as Shepherd collected a miss-cue from Kingdom to score an unconverted try in the corner.

Reds had a further chance before the break when scrum-half Jack Oulton was held up over the Taunton line, the home side also lost hooker Alex Spurdle to the bin but the score remained 10-5 to Titans at half-time.

Frustratingly for Redruth they conceded a soft score soon after half-time, Kingdom chip ahead and then ran into Reds’ prop Craig Williams, the referee gave a penalty which Kingdom kicked to the corner, the Taunton forwards took full advantage with prop Chris Francis scoring from the drive with Kingdom adding the extras to mark up 2,000 points for the Titans.

Taunton then got a third try following some good play between backs Nick Mason and Jack Arnott running from their own half before putting flying wing Freddie Fraser in for a try.

Redruth needed a reply and it came from centre Jack Simmons who ran a great line to score with Fraser Honey adding the conversion.

Sadly, hopes of a comeback were extinguished as Taunton scored their bonus point try through scrum-half Lewis Webb for Kingdom to add the extras for a 29-12 score-line which proved to be the final result.

Redruth will look to bounce back next Saturday when they entertain Barnes at the Recreation Ground at 3pm.

Redruth: Shepherd, Vinnicombe, Simmons, Kevern, Bonds, Honey, Oulton; Hodge, Brown, Tompsett, T Prisk, J Prisk, Grubb, Stevens (Capt), Howe. Reps: Williams, Brassington, Fox, Simmonds, Gilbert.

Redruth scores: Try - Simmons. Pen - Shepherd. Con - Honey.