Taunton Titans Vs Cambridge Preview

2023 kicks off for Taunton Titans with a couple of home league fixtures in consecutive weeks, beginning with this Saturday’s visit of Cambridge. The ‘Blood and Sand’lie in fourth place in the National League One table but, with a couple of games in hand over leaders Sale FC (who are due in town on Saturday week), will have an eye on the promotion spot at the top of the ladder.

In Cambridge’s last league fixture before Christmas they let a half-time lead slip at Leeds to finish with a 17-17 draw in Yorkshire. Titans were defeated in Devon by Plymouth Albion in the festive season’s West Country derby match. After a winless first half to the season at Veritas Park, Tony Yapp will be hoping to mastermind a recovery starting with the visit of the East Anglians.

Formed in 1923, Cambridge has played at National One level since gaining promotion in 2016. Though a relatively young senior club as it enter sits centenary year, Cambridge boasts one of the country’s oldest youth sections. Amongst its 21^st century products are Alex Goode, Ben Spencer (both England) and Will Hooley (USA) whilst fly-half Simon Culhane appeared for the club en route to scoring a record 45 points (1 try, 20conversions) on debut for the All Blacks in a World Cup game against Japan.

Taunton has the honour of being the first team to play Cambridge in their centenary year. Cambridge Coach Richie Williams has built a squad with considerable muscle up front and with great pace on the flanks. In the clash at Volac Park earlier in the season, the Blood and Sand prevailed by 39-14. Taunton were very competitive, particularly in the forwards, but were profligate with their handling in attack and missed some crucial tackles in midfield.

Entrance to Veritas Park is £15 per adult. The fabulous two-course pre-match carvery lunch is not to be missed and can be booked by emailing functions@tauntonrfc.co.uk or by calling 01823 336363. Parking at Veritas Park on Hyde Lane is available and costs £5 per vehicle. Kick-off is at 3pm.

The match is kindly sponsored by the Titans Travel Partner ‘Berrys’. We look forward to welcoming the team from Berrys back to Veritas park and we thank them for their support. The Match ball sponsorship is from our good friends at Monkton Building& Developments.  

Taunton’s second-string Warriors, meanwhile, face a trip Whitchurch in Bristol to face mid-table St Bernadette’s Old Boys. John Wrelton’s Warriors are in third place in the league, but with games in hand over the teams above them.

‍