Preview Titans at home against Leeds

And thenthere were two. It’s Titans against Esher. After a see-sawing season, one ofthem will go down to National League 2. A week ago there were four sides facingthat prospect but on a nerve-jangling Saturday afternoon when all four playedone another, Birmingham Moseley scored a late penalty to nudge past Taunton32-31 and guarantee their National One status. Darlington Mowden Park held offa late rearguard from Esher to prevail 25-20 and ensure they too stay up.  

So, the finalround beckons with the Surrey side holding a one point advantage over Titans inthe table. If they win and score at least four tries in the process, there isno way of Tony Yapp’s side catching them. However, standing in their way atMolesey Road are promotion-chasing Rams who will be intent on securing a spotin the Championship and who begin the day with just a single point advantageover Sale FC. Titans must hope that Rams do not choke and that they earn theirelevation to English rugby’s second tier by defeating Esher.

Regardless,nothing less than a victory will be Tony Yapp’s order for the day from hisTitans. Standing in their path are Leeds. The former Premiership side hasendured a tough season and their relegation to National Two was confirmed a fewweeks ago. One imagines that the last thing they feel like must be a long oldschlep to the West Country but Titans must guard against them aiming for onelast hurrah at this level.

It was theopening day of the league season when the two teams met in West Yorkshire. Forthe second consecutive season the Titans bagged an away win at Leeds, this timeby 24-28 with tries from Connor Baker, Brett Harvey and Charlie Wright to gowith a penalty try and three successful conversions from Jordan Gott. Shouldthere be any risk of complacency in the home dressing room on Saturday, theywould do well to recall Leeds’ only previous visit to Veritas Park which, atthe end of last season, resulted in a 24-41 victory for the Tykes.

This Saturdaywill mark the final game in charge for Leeds Director of Rugby, Jon Callard.The former Bath and England full back will be succeeded by Pete Seabourne whohas been the Team Manager for the past two seasons.

It promisesto be a busy Saturday at Veritas Park with no further places available for thepre-match carvery lunch. With so much at stake, the Titans will be hoping for thebiggest of cheers from the supporters.

Entrance toVeritas Park is £15 per adult. The fabulous two-course pre-match carvery lunchis sold out but the bars will be open and those with no carvery booking will beable to buy delicious pasties. Parking at Veritas Park on Hyde Lane isavailable and costs £5 per vehicle. Kick-off is at 3pm.

‍