Taunton Titans vs Hornets

National League Rugby returns to Veritas Park on Hyde Lane in Taunton this Saturday and with it comes an eagerly awaited Somerset derby between the Titans and visiting Hornets. Having lost their opening day fixtures, both teams are on the hunt for their first win of the new season. Taunton went to Loughborough University and were soundly beaten, 33-3, by the students whilst Hornets narrowly missed out 27-29 at home to Redruth though they did pick up a bonus point.

The league table makes for uncomfortably familiar reading for Taunton fans but, only one game into the season, it’s unfair to start looking for patterns. Suffice to say that the result in Leicestershire was unexpected and will, hopefully, have served notice to Titans that the targeted return to National One will not be a cakewalk.

Hornets, who come from Weston-super-Mare and who naturally wear yellow and black hoops, are in their fifth season in National Two. It is the highest they have been in the league structures. Last year they finished in twelfth place but comfortably above the relegation spots. Established as a rugby club in 1962, they play their home matches on Hutton Moor Road in Weston, less than a mile and a half from Weston-super-Mare RFC. Their coaching team isled by Jack Gadd who has former Bath prop Jack Caulfield in charge of the forward pack.

Taunton Warriors took the first steps in their new division –the succinctly named South West Division Counties 1 Tribute Western North –last Saturday, winning their opening game away at Old Bristolians, 19-50. They don’t get to play a home league game until October and this weekend are away to Gordon League in Gloucester.

Kick-off for Titans against Hornets at Veritas Park is at3pm. Entry is £15 for adults and free for Under-16s. Parking at Veritas Park on Hyde Lane costs £5. This Saturday hails the return from summer break of the remarkable two-course pre-match carvery in the clubhouse which is the envy of the National League and 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.

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The Match is kindly sponsored by Title sponsor British Gas and we look forward to welcoming them and to Veritas Park for another exciting afternoon of rugby.

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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