MATT Jess reflected on a "really positive" first week as a Taunton Titans player after making a try-scoring debut in the win over Barnes at Hyde Park.

Jess' first-half score in the corner showed his new supporters a glimpse of what he will add to the side between now and the end of the season, with the former Exeter Chiefs man simply keen to enjoy his rugby again after a difficult spell at Newton Abbot.

The winger told the County Gazette: "A couple of coaches asked me if I've still got it which riled me up before the game!

"It's nice to get a try on debut, it always is, but it's more about the teamwork which led to it.

"It's a nice way for me to start. They are a good bunch of boys, we've had a really good week and hopefully we can push on now.

"Ever since I've been a pro I've known players that have played at Taunton.

"I've known Yappy [Tony Yapp], I've coached with Browny [Chris Brown] before and I've always kept an eye on how Taunton are doing and their scores.

"I know they have a good group here and good facilities. When Yappy picked up the phone I had a day or so to think about it, talked about it with my family and decided to go for it until the end of the season."

On the game itself, Jess added: "We battered away at their 22 in the second half but we just couldn't get over the tryline.

"It was difficult conditions with the wind and it was a bit 'harem scarem' at the end but we were able to keep them out and get the four points. Looking at the bigger picture, that was the most important thing.

"We played well today, we just didn't capitalise and finish off opportunities which we should have done.

"We will think about their break at the end and their catch and drives, which we probably could have defended better - the forwards will be honest enough to admit that and Browny will be too - but the focus was on getting back on the horse with a win, which we have done.

"I really enjoyed Tuesday, Thursday and today.

"The mood was a little bit rocked [after last weekend's defeat to Henley] but we had such a positive session on Tuesday it loosened the straps a bit."

Jess was a player-coach at Newton Abbot but his role with the Titans is likely to focus more on the former as they look to put together a positive run-in.

"I'm here purely as a player for the time being to release some stress in me," he said.

"If Yappy wants me to muck in I'm more than happy to but for me it's about enjoying being part of the squad, enjoying being coached by Yappy and Browny and hopefully transferring that into my game.

Yapp told the Gazette last week that Jess will be a "huge influence on our young backs", and the new winger is liking what he sees from his new teammates.

"There are some talented players here," Jess said.

"Sam Brown came on and did really well, Strummers [Aron Struminski] I know from Chiefs and he is rapid, and Easty [Toby East] is a pocket rocket.

"In terms of the future, things look very positive."