MATCH REPORT: RENNELL HAT-TRICK LEADS TITANS TO BIG WIN

RAMS Titans returned to winning ways with an excellent 55-7 home success against Esher Cardinals.

The hosts scored the first of nine tries in just the third minute, Ed Hoadley taking a quick tap penalty inside his own half before a long pass from Tom Humberstone sent Sam Rennell in from 45 metres on the left.

They moved further in front shortly after, Stevie Bryant showing some sparkling footwork to beat three men for a second try in as many weeks, Humberstone with the conversion for 12-0.

The third try was a cracker created by Karl Quartey, the centre breaking through in midfield before his perfectly timed pass set Rennell free to double his tally.

Humberstone pushed his kick wide right, but Titans continued to threaten and Rennell completed a memorable first-half hat-trick as he again took a pass from Quartey before scooting in from 40 metres.

While the opening four scores had all come out wide, it was next time for the forwards to take centre stage as they showed their scrummaging power, walking their opponents back over their own line from five metres out for No. 8 Ross Crame to touch down.

Humberstone slotted the easiest of conversions, but it was Esher who had the final word of the first half, a stunning individual score seeing the ball collected in their own half before a searing break ended under the posts – the kick making it 29-7 at half-time.

Titans drew first blood in the second period, though, Vince Everitt sweeping round off a scrum to claim an interception score from some 15 metres out, James Gilman with the extras.

The seventh try was another for the pack, a rumbling maul making ground before replacement prop Elio Mandozzi peeled away to touch down on the left, Gilman’s sweet strike making it 43-7.

It was a catch-and-drive which set-up the next score, Esher defending it well from five metres out before Crame spotted a gap to break free and double his tally.

The conversion attempt was just left of the uprights, but the half-century was chalked up with arguably the try of the day.

A free-flowing move began with a scrum on Titans’ own five metre line, but following another strong Quartey carry, beautifully timed passes from both Crame and Gilman created space for Humberstone to run in on the right, the cherry on top being added by an extraordinary drop goal conversion from the touchline.

Titans travel to Barnes 2nd XV on Saturday.