Match Preview - Bournville

Any notion that returning to National League One at the first attempt would be a breeze must now be shelved for Taunton Titans. A trip to Camborne that looked hard on paper proved to be cast in tin, the Cornishmen coasting to a 58-25 victory. Two defeats in the opening three fixtures is not the form of champions. Tony Yapp and his fellow coaches will be well aware, however, that Loughborough Students (who were able to give their BUCS team a run out in the season opener) and Camborne represent two of the toughest away fixtures in this league and that the season is a long one. It will be vital to return to Veritas Park this Saturday though with a good win in front of the home fans.

The visitors this week are Bournville. The Birmingham clublies in fifth place in the division with two wins from their three games to date, including a 34-22 win over Redruth on Saturday. Founded in 1909, the team is known as The Choccos as the club was started by workers from Cadbury’s Chocolate Factory in Bournville. Rising from Level 10 of the league structure, they have been playing at National League Two level since 2021 and were switched from the North division to the West division last season.

Bournville’s Director of Rugby is Paul Sumner and Head Coach is Matt Price. Hooker and captain James Weaver previously played for Moseley. He leads a team in which veteran centre Rob Knox is in bountiful form, having twirled his way across the try line twice against Redruth. Whisper it, but they are very pleased with their season to date. “We have got 12 points and we are fifth in the table. It’s a great start and we didn’t really get out of second gear against Redruth,” said Price.

It will be no picnic against the Midlanders. The Titans willreally need the boost that playing in front of their fans brings if they arenot to fudge their lines. The Les Phippen Stand may not be a double decker, butlet’s try and pack it out in support of the lads this Saturday.

In Counties 1Tribute Western North, Taunton Warriors suffered a rare defeat, only their second in two season, succumbing narrowly away at Bristol side Cleve. They have a week off before hosting their first home game of the season next week at Veritas Park against Nailsea and Backwell.

Kick-off for Titans against Bournville at Veritas Park is at 3pm. Entry is £15 for adults and free for Under-16s. Parking at Veritas Park on Hyde Lane costs £5. As usual when Titans are in town on Saturday the two-course pre-match carvery in the clubhouse is not to be missed. It is still an absolute bargain at just £25 per head. To book please contact the club office on 01823 336363. For those turning up for kick-off, there will be hot pasties and coffees from the Proper Cornish pasty van and there will be three bars open.

Taunton resident and rugby lover, Richard Kitzinger writes content for Taunton RFC’s club website and match-day programmes. His day job is writing Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney - he can be found at www.westcountrywills.co.uk or reached on 07504 991893