West Country Wills Match Preview Round 15 Taunton Titans vs Camborne

Rugby is back for the New Year in Somerset’s county town this Saturday with the hotly-anticipated visit of Camborne providing a crunch fixture for both XVs. In the most recent round of matches prior to Christmas, Camborne hosted their neighbours Redruth and prevailed 24-14 in the longest-standing annual club rugby match in existence. It was derby day in Somerset too, but Titans’ awayday at the seaside in Weston-super-Mare did not end well, losing 29-19 to Hornets.

Although we are only just past the halfway point in this season, if Titans harbour any promotion ambitions they must surely win this encounter, not only to take the points but also to deny visiting table-toppers from stretching their lead further. Camborne arrive at Veritas Park with a game in hand and a five-point lead over Cinderford in second. Taunton sit in fourth, eight points behind the Cornishmen.  

Camborne, known as both the ‘Cherry and Whites’ and the ‘Town’, is a club steeped in tradition. In the heart of mining country, the club was established in 1878 and is in its second season back in National League Two West following promotion from the Regional competition. Camborne finished in sixth place last season and has recruited impressively to lead the current campaign with eleven victories from their thirteen games to date.

Camborne’s Head Coach is Steve Larkins and the team is captained from the back of the scrum by Jordan Rose. Larkins strengthened his squad over the summer, picking up some shrewd signings from across the county and the region. Their ground, Crane Park, holds up to 7,000 and has hosted many touring international teams such as the Springboks, the All Blacks and the Wallabies.

When the two sides met in Cornwall in Round 3, Titans were given a stern reminder that recovering National League One status at the first attempt would be far from a cake-walk. The men from the Duchy triumphed by 58points to 25 and have been atop the table ever since. They have failed to register a bonus point for scoring four tries only once this term and have both winger Alex Ducker (17 tries) and hooker Ben Priddey (25) ahead of Taunton’s Rocky Prowse at the top of the divisional try-scoring charts. Prowse has played his last game of the season for Titans as he and Lucas Yapp have departed on their Gap Year travels whilst Ollie Devoto’s stint with the club has also ended with the England international moving to Chicago.

In Counties 1Tribute Western North, sixth-placed Taunton Warriors go to Old Redcliffians in Brislington who sit in fourth place.

Clarke Willmott are the match sponsors for the weekends fixture, all at Taunton RFC thank them for the ongoing support and we hope they have an enjoyable day. The Match ball sponsor for the game will be JMT Plastering who have been great supporters since getting involved with the club at the start of the 2024/25season.

Following the game the Neil Symons the Taunton RFC President has organised a 80’s themed disco which kicks off at 1800. Best Dressed prizes will be awarded.

Kick-off for Titans against Camborne 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. Owing to the weather we have been experiencing, please arrange to be dropped off or car pool if possible as there is no guarantee that the overflow (free) parking will be open. The legendary two-course carvery is fully booked for this first home game of 2025. For any enquiries please contact the club office on 01823336363. 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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