Match Report
Taunton School Boys-U15B (JCB) vs  Haberdashers' Monmouth Schools
On: Saturday, 14 Oct 2023
Venue: Away

After a week of atoning for an excessively polite performance on the ground against Sherborne, Taunton arrived in the historic county town of Monmouth with a point to prove. From the kick off, Chiu (who played his best game of the season so far) scythed through the flailing arms of the defence and fed Grundy, who scored. White missed the conversion and the game settled into a rhythm. As predicted, the rucking was strong, with clear outs and collisions aplenty. A few basic errors teed up Monmouth for an easy score, but the conversion was missed. More basic errors and another Monmouth score - Taunton heads were down. But the boys weren't out. A fortuitous chase of Winsor's errant penalty kick by Flay yielded 7 points thanks to White's conversion and the boys led at the break 12-10. After the break, Monmouth scored again thanks to yet more basic errors from Taunton before heroic defence from the boys in blue made the game into a real arm wrestle. Arnur was unlucky to spill the ball over the line after a lethal run before the mighty Thompson crashed over from short range to set up an exhilarating finale. More Taunton defence, led by Holden's excellent work, and the boys had one more play from the 5 meter line. But it was a bridge too far. Though Taunton lost by one, the spirit they displayed was truly Herculanean. Every man an emperor, they did themselves proud.