This game had been billed as being between the best sides in the league.

It is fair to say that many who had made the journey up from Devon came away with an intense feeling of injustice. Not only had the All Whites pushed the much vaunted Taunton side to their limits, they arguably deserved to come away from Hyde Park with a win.

Two All White tries were inexplicably disallowed and what appeared to be theatrics near the end of the game during an incident ended in Andy Birkett getting a yellow card.

Refereeing decisions do sometimes go against you, but play acting has no place in the game and the individual concerned should take a long hard look at himself.

The game itself was one of high quality, and there is no doubt that Taunton finally look like champions elect.

To the purists and neutrals it was cracking entertainment. The All Whites, missing the influential Alex Huntley and Ben Rowntree, brought in Vic Norman and youngster James Head.

Both players enjoyed good performances, Head excelling at the front of the lineout against former England international Dave Sims.

From the start both teams gave no quarter, the breakdowns were eagerly contested and it was fantastic to watch. Defences were on top for the first 20 minutes, Then Taunton began to get their big forwards running at the All Whites' defence but time and again they were tackled to a standstill.

They did, however, benefit from a penalty after 12 minutes to give them a 3-0 lead.

The All Whites went straight back at Taunton. Good ball carrying by the back row and mazy running from standoff Birkett asked questions of the Taunton midfield defence.

With 15 minutes played, Cane moved the ball quickly to Birkett who fed the excellent Nick Holt. He in turn fired a pass out to Neil Johns who burst through on a great running line. Over he went for a try, but the referee who was some way away judged a forward pass and that was that.

Five minutes later an almost identical move saw Holt pop a short pass to Johns who skinned his opposite number outside to skate in for a try. The conversion was missed by Birkett, but now the All Whites were 5-3 up with 20 minutes played.

There followed 15 minutes of deadlock, then with five minutes to play before the break, Taunton began to assert themselves in the set-piece. Finding their rhythm, they earned themselves another penalty, making the score 6-5 to Taunton at the break.

Taunton had shown their quality in the set piece and they took up where they left off in the second half.

A fumbled catch from the restart put the All Whites under pressure and the hungry Taunton pack hammered away at the All Whites line. From a line-out they got over from close range, converting from a difficult angle for a 13-5 lead.

However, the All Whites' psyche these days does not entertain capitulation and they superbly marshalled themselves and began to fight back.

Taunton elected to take a drop goal, but the ever-alert Moore behind the sticks touched down the missed attempt then threw it forward quickly to Holt on the 22.

He flicked the ball deftly up to Viskoper who was thundering up on his right shoulder. Viskoper then angled a fine kick in behind the Taunton defence which was caught flat footed.

It became a straight race between the chasing Joe Burford and Taunton's Martin. Burford scooped up the ball and passed to the supporting Alex Moore. He then dropped over the line for as fine a try as you will see this year.

The All Whites' faithful erupted in the stands only to see the referee yet again rule against the All Whites. Being a full 40 yards behind play, he adjudged that the Taunton player had gathered the ball and Burford had not let him up off the floor – an unfathomable decision.

Taunton cleared the danger from the ensuing penalty. There followed a further 15 minutes of hammer and tong stuff, with the All Whites desperately looking to break out, running anything they could.

It was all in vain. With two minutes to go, Birkett contentiously got ten minutes in the bin for foul play.

The whistle blew and All Whites' hearts were on the ground. There was anger, but there was also tremendous pride in the performance of a fine All Whites team.

Taunton visit Rackerhayes on January 10. If that game provides as much entertainment as this one did then we are in for a treat.

Meanwhile the All Whites must pick themselves up for the visit of Yatton tomorrow, kick-off at 2.30pm.