West Country Wills Match Preview Round 6 Taunton Titans vs Old Redcliffians

It was a bit of a shock to arrive at Exeter University on Saturday to discover that not only was Titans’ prolific winger of last season, Noah Fenton, playing for the students’ second string despite having scored a try for Exeter Chiefs this year but also that their starting scrum-half was Will Becconsall who was arguably Chiefs’ first-choice halfback last season. Undaunted, Titans produced their best performance of the campaign thus far to triumph by 21-42.

Will Vaughan had an epic game in the front row, the Wright brothers were busy and dominant, Sam Leworthy powerful, Joe Snow excellent and Rocky Prowse especially mature for one so young. Jay Toogood covered a head injury to Nick Mason on the wing adeptly. My man of the match was Ben Oliphant-Thompson who had a barnstorming game. It is almost rude to omit mention of any of the boys, so well did they play as a team. Five points away from home are most heartening, leading in to a home game at Veritas Park.

The opposition, OId Redcliffians, hail from Brislington in the southern suburbs of Bristol. They arrive in Somerset’s county town in fourth place in National League Two, three places and four points above Titans and having just come out on top in a high-scoring thriller at home to Redruth,45-40. 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).

In Counties 1 Tribute Western North, Taunton Warriors also host Old Redcliffians. The two teams are neck-and-neck in the table with both having lost to league leaders Cleve. Warriors missed out at Veritas Park last Saturday 36-45 to Nailsea and Blackwell. The 2^nd XV fixture is awaiting confirmation on a Kick Off time and we will share this across social media when a final decision is made.  

There will be the opportunity to try a new selection of drinks from a local brewer in Quantock Brewery and a new selection of ciders from Sheppy’s Cider. This will be located in the Solts Bar. Following on from the games both senior teams will be having an Oktoberfest themed evening and all supporters are welcomed to join in with the players.

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The Match Sponsor for the day is long term TRFC Supporter SCC Toyota. The team at SCC have been supporting Taunton RFC for over 20 years and is once again a main sponsor for the 2024/25 season.

Kick-off for Titans against Old Redcliffians 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. Don’t kick yourself for forgetting to book in for the two-course pre-match carvery in the clubhouse. 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.

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