Mowden Park fell to a frustrating home defeat on Saturday against a spirited Taunton side. A late Yaree Fantini try rescued a bonus point for DMP as they head into the final 3 games before Christmas.

Taunton made a fast start, and capitalised on any DMP errors to open up a commanding first half lead. Some indecision from a high kick saw Will De Boehmler latch on to a loose ball and stride over for the opening try, before Titans skipped Charlie Wright stripped the ball on half way and gallop over for their second. Mowden responded through Ollie Hodgson on the back of a driving maul, but Taunton soon had their third when Noah Fenton eluded the DMP defence to score under the posts. Taunton's bonus point try followed when Ratu Vakalutukali dotted down on the half hour mark. DMP did manage to narrow the gap to 14 when Henry Hadfield dived over following some good work from Ben Frankland. Half time score 12-26.

The visitors looked like extending their lead early in the second half, but Mowden defended well to keep out a powerful Titans maul on multiple occasions. DMP then grew into the half and won a series of penalties in the Taunton 22, but were dealt a sucker punch when Fenton intercepted and sprinted the length of the field to score. A try for Harry Yates maintained hope of a late DMP comeback, by Yaree Fantini's try came too late as the final kick of the game drifted narrowly wide.

Mowden will look to bounce back this weekend when they travel to Bishop's Stortford, before they return to the Arena on Saturday 9th December to take on Leicester Lions.