National One Rugby: Rams (Reading) 52-17 Taunton Titans

RAMS occupying top spot in this Division One clash with lowly placed Taunton Titans were celebrating Burns Lunch with a bagpipes welcome on the pitch to a rendering of 'Harry', writes Hugh Duder.

Taunton started brightly as Ollie Burrows scored a converted try for 0-7 early on.

But on eight minutes the home side were level at 7-7 as they clawed the deficit back straight away.

Rams scored twice more before half time with Taunton's fly half Louie Sinclair knocking over a penalty to make the score 19-10 at the break.

On 54 minutes Rams secured their bonus point try with a well directed cross field kick collected by man of the match Charlie Robson for 26-10.

Four minutes later a converted Ben Olliphant-Thompson try gave Taunton hope at 26-17.

With Greg Kitson off the field with a twisted knee followed by two yellow cards for separate players, Taunton were suddenly under a Rams riot.

Their backs running in four times in the last 12 minutes doubling their score to 52 without reply finishing very strongly.

They did a job shutting down Titans backs throughout the game and the home crowd of 853 were pleased with the outcome.

With no game this week, Taunton have a chance to re-group and target winning their remaining home games as a minimum if they are to avoid the net.

Next game is against Sedgley Park on February 10, for a 3pm kick off at Veritas Park.

Elsewhere, Taunton Wanderers (Seconds) kept up their challenge in the Counties Two Tribute Somerset division beating St Bernadette's 50-10 at the weekend.

They now sit in second place behind Chew Valley Seconds with a game in hand over them.

The skill level of both forwards and backs was outstanding to see the ball handling skills of a large prop like Jo Atkins taking a ball of his toes and then making 35 metres before passing on to Henry for a try was something to be applauded.

Charlie Way may be small but never misses an opportunity and the yardage he made from scrumhalf was to be applauded but so was the support which he received in making these breaks.

The whole team deserves tremendous applause to turn out in such challenging conditions and to secure such a good win.

Thanks was given to the small but enthusiastic supporters who walked all of that distance from the Clubhouse to the pitch and back to support the Warriors.