A casual observer browsing through the rugby results this weekend will have noted that Taunton won again on the road against a Hinckley team who have not fulfilled expectations this season. Taunton secured a maximum five points to bolster their bid for an immediate return to National 1 while Hinckley continued to disappoint. The story behind the result though is much more dramatic. This was a real battle! Hornets played their hearts out in a performance full of grit, determination, and sheer guts. In the end, Taunton proved the better, and perhaps more balanced, side and were worthy winners but Hinckley deserved at least a point out of the game and the home support were harbouring hopes of two points right up to the final whistle. It would have been a fairer result.

There was nothing to choose between the two sides in the first period when Hinckley traded tries and blows with the Titans to go in at 12 apiece. The second period started much the same with both sides scoring a third try in the first six minutes but then Taunton launched a relentless assault on the Hinckley line which pretty well lasted the rest of the game. Hinckley’s defence was no less than heroic as they resisted wave after wave of the Taunton onslaught but it was almost inevitable that they would crack at some point.

That point came in the 62nd minute when, from a short-range penalty line-out, the Taunton centre Jermaine Jones eventually forced his way over. That wasn’t the end but Hornets simply could not get out of their own half for the remainder of the game and gave up what little possession they managed to secure far too easily. In the end, the difference was that Taunton made fewer mistakes.

DOR Chris Campbell oozed with pride after the game while recognising that it was Hinckley’s own shortcomings that were their undoing. ‘I thought we defended with great energy and intensity and the lads should be proud of that. No one can say they didn’t give their all and the comments from the opposition at the end of the game was that it was the toughest defence they have faced all season.’

‘But we had little choice as we gave up too much ball, and, unfortunately, that meant we got nothing out the game. I don’t think we deserved that but that’s what’s on the sheet at the end of the game. We now need to build again for our bumper Christmas game against Loughborough Students next week!’

It became obvious from the off Taunton were looking to run the ball. Hornets botched the first real chance of the game from a short-range line-out but when Taunton got themselves in a similar position with a penalty line-out 15m from the Hinckley their execution was clinical. The initial catch and drive was held but the ball was released left to wing man Oscar Kolowski who scampered in with ominous ease. Louie Sinclair converted.

Taunton were having perhaps the better of the game in the following minutes but there was little to threaten the Hinckley line and it was Hornets who grabbed the next score after a spectacular effort from home debutant Rafe Witheat had forced the Taunton defence to carry over their own line. Hinckley won a penalty at the scrum but knocked on when they attempted to drive over to hand possession back to Taunton. However, from the scrum the Taunton runner was brilliantly held up by Josh Kent to give Hornets another scrum 10m out. This time there was not mistake and after several pick and drives did not get the desired result, the ball found Witheat out wide to go over in the corner to bring Hinckley back to within two.

Three minutes later, Witheat again broke the line and, finding himself in space, hacked on into the corner and won the foot-race to touch the ball down to extend the lead. This time, Dacey added the extras and Hornets were in front.

Seven minutes later, Taunton levelled it. The Titans stole a Hinckley line-out on halfway, quickly sent the ball left across the field to winger Rocky Prowse who ran round the stretched Hinckley defence for the try. It was ruthlessly efficient and showed why Taunton are where they are in the league.

That was it until half-time - 12-12 with Taunton having shown their class, but Hinckley well in the game.

Taunton came out the sharper and were ahead within three minutes. Hinckley were caught offside 5m out and a quick tap finished with flanker Ratu Vakalutukali driving over in the corner. Sinclair converted and Hinckley were up against it.

They were level however within another three minutes courtesy of an excellent line-out drive from 10m out which saw Jack Hewitt dot down at the back of the maul.

Then came the onslaught. Callum Dacey took a yellow card for interfering on the floor after a try saving tackle when Taunton looked sure to score. Taunton were twice held up over the line and the Taunton wing was tackled out of play on the line. It was glorious; it was brave; it was seemingly endless. But Hinckley did eventually crack.

A Taunton penalty 10m from the Hinckley line was kicked to touch. The drive was held and Titans sought again to batter their way over. Eventually, Jones made it and Sinclair added the extras.

Hinckley had an opportunity to level from a scrum after Taunton knocked on the restart inside their 22m but couldn’t take it. Taunton won a penalty on Hinckley’s 10m line and sensibly went for goal. Sinclair converted and Hornets were two scores adrift with 12 minutes left.

It proved too much. Taunton played out time while Hinckley frantically chased the game. Hornets though could not hold onto the ball long enough to pose any real threat and when the final whistle went no-one could argue with the result.

Nick Robinson