West Country Wills Match Preview Round 12 Taunton Titans vs Redruth

Last Saturday Titans recorded an excellent win away to Macclesfield, despite it being the longest road trip of the season. The Titans went over 8 times during the win, with tries from Lucas Yapp, Rocky Prowse, Archie Spokes, Oscar Kolowski (2), Charlie Kassapian, Ben Heath and Sam Prior with the extras coming throughout from Louis Sinclair to take the win 55 points to 33ensuring they remain in 2^nd spot in National 2 West.

This Saturday the visitors to Veritas Park are Redruth. When you think of traditional rugby towns in Cornwall, none are as synonymous with the game as Redruth. Like Taunton RFC, Redruth RFC was founded in 1875. They play the longest running annual fixture in world club rugby, a Boxing Day fixture against neighbours Camborne who currently top National League Two West. Redruth not flying quite so high but are starting to creep their way up the table having taken all 5points in their last outing, away to Hinckley.

Redruth climbed to National One level with promotion in 2009 but their stay in the third tier of English rugby lasted just two seasons and since then they have been resident in National Two. Playing in all red, they are legendary for being one of the best supported clubs and they regularly top the attendance tables for this division at their home, the Recreation Ground. There aren’t too many clubs who can claim to have produced a Rugby World Cup winner but Redruth was where 2003 England tighthead prop Phil Vickery learned his craft.

The Director of Rugby at Redruth is Nigel Hambly and their Head Coach is Richard Kevern. Amongst their first team squad are some familiar names; hooker Tom Cowan-Dickie has Premiership experience with Leicester Tigers and Exeter Chiefs and is the brother of British and Irish Lions forward Luke. Jordan Gott played a couple of seasons for Titans before moving to the Cornish club as it was closer to his work, though he has yet to make an appearance this season for Redruth.

In Counties 1 Tribute Western North, fourth-placed Taunton Warriors have a weekend off.

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Those coming to the game are asked to car share / arrange to be dropped off if possible. With rain forecast there is no guarantee whether the overflow car park will be accessible on the day.

Prior to kick off this Saturday, Veritas Park will fall silent, to mark the sad passing of Simon Greedy, an avid member and supporter of the Titans who never missed a home game. Simon’s passing came after a short battle with cancer.

This weekends Match Sponsor is Veritas Glazing Solutions Ltd, with A1 Windows and Doors Ltd as Match Ball Sponsor. Two of our most loyal supporters and sponsors at Taunton Rugby Club

Kick-off for Titans against Redruth 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 or is free in the overflow opposite. Our fabulous Pre-match lunch is a complete sell out this weekend, as it’s the last home game of 2024 of the Titans. 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.

Gates and Bars will be open from 1200 and we look forward to seeing you all, and packing the Park!

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

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