Report by Nick Serpell

Taunton shook off their indifferent start to the season with a comprehensive win over a Redruth side that struggled to get on terms. Two early home tries set the pattern for the game and the Reds were left playing catch-up right to the final whistle

A late arrival due to a tyre failure on the team coach near Exeter was not ideal preparation for this match against a Titans outfit that had always promised to come good this season. The team only arrived when they did thanks to the loan of the Camborne coach, the Cherry & Whites were conveniently playing at Exeter University. Kick-off was delayed by 30 minutes.

On a cold but sunny day, with a chill wind blowing down the pitch, Taunton quickly took control of this game and never lost it. Playing with the wind they launched a series of attacks on the Redruth line and showed an ability to maintain possession that carried them through the game. An attack down the left wing saw full back Reece Malone cross for the first try after just seven minutes, stand-off Tom Putt added the conversion. 7-0.

Redruth were probably a little to quick to take the option of kicking to clear their lines rather than keeping the ball in hand. In the strong wind the ball made little progress in the air and was too often picked up for yet another run from the Taunton backs.

Redruth showed the superiority of their pack when they pushed the Titans several yards back from a set-piece . However Taunton retained possession and sent Tom Putt charging towards the Redruth line. The referee blew up for a penalty and Redruth cleared. Worryingly for the Reds, Taunton were showing great ability to use the full width of the pitch, extending the Redruth defence, and their handling was excellent. Again they came close to the Red's line and again they were thwarted, this time by a knock-on.

Taunton further extended their lead when Redruth conceded a penalty 30m out and Tom Putt, assisted by the wind, had no problem with the kick. 10-0

Such was Taunton's superiority in retaining possession that it was nearly 28 minutes before the Reds got any distance over the half-way line. Taunton conceded a penalty 30m out which Redruth put into touch. Any chance was missed when Taunton stole the line-out throw and cleared their lines.

This turned out to be Redruth's only real chance of getting on the board in the first half and they fell further behind when , from a Taunton line-out close to the Red's 5m line, the home side gathered and pushed over for their second try scored by flanker Alex O'Brian. Tom Putt missed the conversion.

H/T Taunton 15-0 Redruth

Any thoughts that Redruth might be able to get back into this match were quickly dashed. Taunton came out at a rush in the second half and launched a blitz on the Redruth defence. Hooker Alex Spurdle scored a try for Taunton after just 46m which was converted by Tom Putt. 22-0

The Titan's backs were now running rampant. Their next try came just four minutes later when centre Dan Martin finished off a run almost the length of the pitch to score Taunton's bonus point try. Tom Putt, kicking into the wind, missed the conversion. 27-0.

Redruth made a further series of replacements bringing on Luke Barnes and Jess Tompsett for Craig Williams and Tyler Gendall. but it seems little was going to stop the Titans. Two minutes after their previous try they again baffled the Redruth defence with a series of runs and and scored their fifth try through speedy winger Oscar Kowolski, converted by Tom Putt 34-0

With the game three quarters gone, Redruth finally got their attack to click into gear and it was Jack Counter who crossed for their first try after some strong work from the pack. Dean Wills missed the conversion 34-5

Two minutes later the large band of Redruth travelling faithful had yet another reason to cheer as Noah Clifford went over for Redruth's second try. Again, Dean Wills failed to add the extras. 34-10.

Taunton now gathered and took play back up to the Redruth end of the pitch. The Reds conceded a penalty and Tom Putt stroked Taunton further ahead. 37-10.

Redruth were not done and, with just ten minutes remaining, launched another attack on the Taunton line which resulted in Noah Clifford going over for his second try. Again Dean Wills missed the conversion 37-15

With Redruth finally seeming to have found their stride there were hopes of perhaps another try and at least one bonus point to take home. But Taunton had other ideas. Jamie Prisk was yellow carded in the 75th minute, a pretty harsh decision by the referee, and the resulting penalty saw Taunton set off back into Redruth territory. With two minutes to go back rower Joe Elsworth went over for Taunton's sixth try. Putt made no mistake with the conversion and the game ended.

Redruth can have no complaints about the result as they were comprehensively outplayed by the Titan's three-quarters. The home side's tactics of keeping the ball moving wide across the park rarely gave the opportunity for the Redruth pack to do what they do best. They have a break next week to regroup before facing a tough home match against a Barnstaple side that have been showing incredible form in their first season back at this level.

F/T. Taunton 44-15 Redruth