In this season’s two fixtures between these free-running sides a meagre three points have separated them. The narrowest of margins gave Taunton this victory here at Woollams but how they had to work for the spoils!

Albanians had their almost traditional period of ‘third gear’ rugby for the first quarter before opening the throttle as half time approached. Whatever advantage Titans are offered they will take and when Gary Kingdom collected a mistimed clearance kick two minutes in he fed openside Ratu who sped in unchallenged. Kingdom missed the conversion but made no mistake with a penalty eight minutes later.

Still feeling generous Albanians spilt the ball in contact and James Tait put Oscar Kolowski clear. The fullback made no mistake this time and his side led 0-15 still in the first quarter.

Just into the second, Albanians first, meaningful attack saw them successfully recycle through six phases before Morgan Thompson spun the ball wide to Alex Ricci. Too far out for Thompson’s attempted improvement but points on the board nonetheless. There followed a long period of OA ascendancy and territorial pressure and good precision gave the scrum-half position for a penalty which he duly accepted. The forwards profited from an improved lineout, after some initial scares, and a dominant tight scrum and the ferocity grew as half time approached.

Chris Napier was in the middle of the melee which took place on the Titan’s line but it was Ollie Stonham who took the honours when the Albanian pack rumbled over the line. Thompson’s kick levelled the scores.

A’s seemed destined for a second-half siege of the visitors’ line and were comfortable keeping the ball deep in the Taunton half. However, a prolonged lack of concentration meant the hosts conceded three penalties in quick succession, the last of which led to a second Kingdom penalty. Still, the battle raged on Titan ground. Then possession spilt again in an OA attack on halfway and Ratu tore over for his second, this in injury time. Kingdom’s fine kick seemed to take at least a bonus point from the Albanians.

It was left to Tom Bednall to rescue matters and his sleight of foot took him away from the defender and into the Taunton 22. Thompson was inside and on hand to accept the scoring pass and to convert his own effort. A near run thing in all respects.

Brian Quinn,

Press