Redingensians Rams were undoubtedly the underdogs when facing against Taunton Titans for their first league fixture of the season. In each of their previous four meetings, Titans have come out victorious against Rams and Saturday’s match saw no change to this patterns. The ballistic boot of Gary Kingdom and twin tries from Jon Gatford helped Titans take an early lead, one that the home side fiercely contested but were eventually unable to surmount.
Early aggression established Titans as the dominant side in the first half. Strong momentum play provided opportunities for Kingdom’s pinpoint accuracy and Gatford’s formidable charge. Despite brick-wall defences from Rams, excellent performances in Titans’ back seven allowed Aron Struminski to further their lead and finish the first half with a score of 27-3. Titans’ winger Freddie Fraser threatened to extend this lead, but was promptly tackled across the dead ball line before he had an opportunity to score.
The final forty minutes bought a different dynamic to the game. Here, Rams asserted themselves as a force to be reckoned with after James Baker was given an opportunity to dominate scrums. Titans conceded two tries at the hands of Jamie Guttridge and Samir Kharbouch, a flanker who had been sin-binned until only a few minutes prior. Rams were later awarded a penalty try following intense scrum pressure next to the Titan try line.
A further two tries from Titans, executed by Struminski and Ted Landray, provided the final score of 39-22 to the away side. A formidable start from Taunton and an excellent recovery from Rams provides compelling evidence that both of these teams will maintain a high and entertaining standard. Next week Redingensians Rams face off against London Irish Wild Geese in a league game away at Sunsbury-on-Thames.

Statistics
Scoreline: Rams 22, Titans, 39

Rams:
Tries: Kharbouch 46; Guttridge 58; Penalty try 70.
Coversions: Atkins 58; Chandler 70
Penalties: Atkins 5

Titans:
Tries: Gatford 18, 32; Struminski 28, 53; Landray 72
Conversions: Kingdom 18, 28, 32, 72
Penalties: Kingdom 1, 7

Star Man: Gary Kingdom (Titans)
Joe Duffelen (Rams)

Referee : Daniel Collins

Attendance: 96

Half Time Scoreline: Rams 3, Titans 27

Team list:
Referee: Daniel Collins
Redingensians Rams (15-9, 1-8):
15 - Dufellen
14 - Rossiter
13 - Souter
12 - Barnes (c)
11 - McDermottroe
10 - Atkins
9 - Cole
1 - Weller
2 - Henderson
3 - Steadman
4 - Bryson
5 - Gutteridge
6 - Kharbouch
7 - Nightingale
8 - Vooght
Replacements:
16- Paxton
17 - Baker
18 - Taylor
19 - Chandler
20 - Crocker
Taunton Titans (15-9, 1-8):
15 - Kingdom
14 - Struminski
13 - Fraser
12 - Popham (c)
11 - Bright
10 - Huntley
9 - Webb
1 - Claydon
2 - Gatford
3 - Owlett
4 - Persey
5 - Lugg
6 - Harvey
7 - Vakalutukali
8 - Prior
Replacements:
16 - Frost
17 - Caulfied
18 - Gibbs
19 - Childs
20 - Landray