Bishop’s Stortford claim five tries to beat Taunton Titans 38-29 at home in National League 1
Bishop’s Stortford ended their three-game losing streak by beating Taunton Titans 38-29 at Silver Leys on Saturday (November 11).
The hosts, who were always ahead in the contest, have now won three of their nine National League 1 matches this term and remain 11th in the table.
Marcus Cattell’s side, who claimed five tries, achieved the bonus-point victory in special poppy-themed shirts to mark Armistice Day. A pre-match lunch was attended by 26 veterans - who had their meals and matchday entry paid for by sponsors and the club - and a two-minute silence was held before kick-off.
Stortford started fast and, after several phases, won a penalty which Connor Lloyd tapped and dived over for a try.
Lloyd also converted, as he did 17 minutes later when Austin Pope rounded off another concerted spell of pressure on the opposition 22.
Although the Titans, who are one place below the hosts, always looked lively, they were on the back foot for most of the half and needed a good bounce off an ambitious Stortford chip kick in midfield to create an opportunity, which Charlie Wright seized on to sprint in for a try, converted by Louis Sinclair.
Taunton quickly added three points from the tee after the break, but fell further behind when Fraizer Kiff crashed over from the fringe of a ruck, with Lloyd again converting.
The visitors bounced straight back and looked threatening with Noah Fenton using his lightning pace to round off with a converted try.
Within two minutes, Stortford stretched their lead again with a penalty try for a collapsed maul and Chris Smith soon added another try, leaping high to win the contest for a Dan Cole crosskick.
The visitors fought back again and enjoyed much the better of the closing exchanges, bringing second tries to both Wright and Fenton, sandwiching a Cole penalty for Stortford.
Cattell’s men are at home again this Saturday (November 18) when they entertain third-placed Chinnor.
Stortford: Powell, Stannard, Biard, Ayrton, Smith, Cole, Lloyd; Hill, Rayment, Peck, Kiff, Charter, Jones, Pope, Rogers. Replacements: Hussey, Ramzan, Tierney, Bolton, Morris.
Taunton: Kitson, Rice, Diaz Dart, Tuima, Fenton, Sinclair, Petherbridge; Vaughan, Taione, Ncube, Oliphant-Thompson, Leworthy, Vakalutukali, C Wright, De Boehmler. Replacements: Moody, Atkins, H Wright, Bralsford, Clinch.
Scorers: Stortford - Tries: Lloyd 2, Pope 19, Kiff 47, penalty try 53, Smith 58; Cons: Lloyd 3, 20, Cole 48, 59; Pens: Cole 68. Taunton - Tries: C Wright 25, 63, Fenton 51, 72; Cons: Sinclair 26, 52, 73; Pens: Sinclair 41.
Referee: Mike Lamb.
Star man: Alex Rayment (Stortford).
Attendance: 603.
