Round 18 Old Redcliffians vs Taunton Titans

West Country Wills Match Preview

Round 18        Old Redcliffians vs Taunton Titans

Friday night under the lights was a success at Veritas Park as Titans secured the full five points against a valiant University of Exeter side who had brought a good number of supporters up the M5. The 1,260 strong crowd was also swelled by friends of Roger Neale paying respects to their recently departed mate at the place he loved so well. President Neil Symons’ simple but heartfelt tribute prior to the pre-match dinner hit the mark and set the tone for an evening Rog would have enjoyed. On the pitch, the tries were earned up front by Elvis Taione, Isaac Dalton and Charlie Wright as well as a catch-and-drive penalty try. Man of the match honours were taken by flanker Joe Elsworth who worked hard all night across the field, though young fly half Louie Sinclair must have come under consideration also, running the game so effectively against the student opponents. ‘Saturday’s for rugby’ goes the saying but the feeling in the stand seemed to be that a couple of judiciously chosen Friday night games each season would be welcomed.

This Saturday Titans travel to OId Redcliffians, the Brislington-based club, in the southern suburbs of Bristol. Their most recent game was away in the Duchy against Redruth where they ran their Cornish hosts very close but fell to a 31-29defeat. With Cinderford squandering the chance to go above Taunton in the table, losing at home to Hinckley, also 29-31, Titans are 9 points and three places ahead of Old Reds. The Bristol club, which was founded in 1908 by old boys of Redcliffe Boys School, finished 4^th in the division last season. National League Two is the highest that the Old Reds have climbed in the league structure, a level they reached in 2017.

Titans can anticipate a stern test up front from Old Reds. Over the years the club has produced such eminent props as British Lion Gareth Chilcott and current Bristol and England loose head Ellis Genge (though the Baby Rhino was a back rower when he played at the Scotland Lane club).

When the two teams met at Veritas Park earlier in the season it was a landslide in Taunton’s favour. Rocky Prowse ran in five tries in a 62-31 win which also saw Ollie Devoto and Harry Beasley cross the whitewash. All three are now in foreign climes though. Time will tell who will be Titans’ try scorers on Saturday.

Old Redcliffians play at Scotland Lane which is on (surprise, surprise) Scotland Lane in the Bristolian suburb of Brislington. Contact the club on 0117 9778501 to find out about pre-match dining options, entrance fees and the availability of parking. If you are using your Satnav or sending a thank you note, the postcode is BS4 5LU. Kick off at Scotland Lane is at 2.00pm.

If you don’t fancy the trip to suburban Bristol, perhaps pop down to Veritas Park where the Taunton Warriors host the second of three home games this month, this time with Clifton 2^nd XV the visitors.

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.

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