MATCH REPORT: TITANS NARROWLY BEATEN BY BRUNEL UNI

RAMS Titans slipped to a 17-14 home defeat in filthy conditions against Brunel University on Wednesday night.

With Storm Lee having unleashed itself throughout much of the day, it seemed the rain actually got heavier as play got underway at Old Bath Road, the students initially dealing with things better as they came flying out of the blocks.

The visitors pinned Rams back in their own 22 for much of the opening five minutes, eventually getting the breakthrough when Ben Radnor got over following a series of drives towards the line.

The conversion was added by Joe Cummins, but Titans responded swiftly and got on terms when a well-executed maul was rode over by captain Ollie Moffitt, Rowan Grundy landing a fine conversion from about 10 metres in from the right.

And it was the home side who moved in front with the try of the evening, and one which belied the difficult conditions.

Titans, who scrummaged well throughout, used a set-piece midway inside their own half for No. 8 to find Connor Hayhow on a tremendous line to take them up towards halfway, the inside centre then finding Ollie Monye to show his tremendous speed to race away and dive over from some 60 metres out.

Grundy was again on target to push the hosts 14-7 up, but Brunel rallied well in the final 10 minutes of the first half and deservedly equalised when impressive ball-carrying No. 8 Andrew Fatera managed to get the ball down on the bottom of the left post following another series of pick-and-goes near the line.

Cummins landed the kick before half-time was called, the students defying what was becoming increasingly apocalyptic rain by turning down the chance to go into the changing rooms.

With conditions becoming increasingly difficult and the ball more and more like the proverbial bar of soap, the second half proved something of an arm wrestle bar a couple of eye-catching breaks from Titans duo Charlie Robson, through the middle, and replacement hooker Calum Scott down the right.

But it was the away side who nudged in front on 65 minutes, Spencer Hayhow unfortunate to be pinged for a high tackle which Cummins made no mistake compounding with a 35-metre penalty.

The fly-half missed another from long-range shortly after, but with the University camped on the Titans line, play was eventually called off five minutes later with water beginning to appear on the surface.