West Country Wills Match Preview Round 5 Exeter University vs Taunton Titans

Taunton Titans maintained a 100% winning record at home by beating visiting Bournville 27-20. Talk during the pre-match lunch was about the stellar half-back pairing of Joe Snow and Ollie Devoto but it was the tireless work of outside centre, Nick Mason, that earned the Man of the Match adjudicator’s recognition. He and Jermaine Jones formed a far steadier partnership in the centres than perhaps Titans have enjoyed over the last few seasons. What a joy it was to see Nick back in action – and to see all of the Titans in the new kit, the hoops referencing the traditional club shirt in this special 150^th Anniversary year.

This weekend’s opponents, Exeter University, had an away trip to Redruth in Cornwall and came away with their first defeat of the league campaign, having begun with two wins and a draw. Nonetheless, the students sit in 5^th place in National League Two, four places above Titans. If the much-vaunted promotion bid is to be maintained, Tony Yapp’s team will need to start winning games away from Veritas Park. The fixture at Topsham Sports Ground represents the first opportunity to get that back on track.

Unlike on the season’s opening day when Titans travelled to Loughborough, Exeter will not be able to field their first choice XV. During term-time, the cream of the students – many of whom are involved with Exeter Chiefs – play midweek fixtures in the BUCS Super League. The Saturday XV which represents Exeter University in the National League is the university’s second string. Nonetheless, having won promotion to the National Leagues in 2022 this is the highest level that the ‘Green and White Dynamite’ has achieved in league rugby and they are not to be underestimated.

The fixture is to be played at Topsham Sports Ground which is on Exeter Road. Heading towards Topsham from the Countess Wear Round about, it is on the left soon after crossing the M5. If you get to Topsham RFC, you’ve gone too far and run the risk of encountering rabbles of students tearing around Topsham, attempting to drink a pint in each of ten pubs before catching the train back into the city. Unfortunately, there is very little information from the university about the game (which as an alumnus I find shameful) so I am indebted to Damian Welch for confirming that the kick-off at Topsham Sports Ground is 2pm as there are no floodlights. Facilities are very limited - there is usually a mobile bar there to serve beer and cider and usually a mobile pizza bar but that’s pretty much it. The best bet might be to book a pub in Topsham!

From Damian’s recall ticket prices are around £5-£10.Parking is limited; there is a car park there but people also park on the road next to the cricket pitch which is inside the gates. No parking on the main road.

Taunton Warriors finally play a league game at Veritas Park for the first time this season. They were narrowly beaten last time out, a first defeat for a whole year. This Saturday they will be hosting Nailsea and Blackwell with kick-off at 3pm.

University of Exeter graduate, 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.ukor reached on 07504 991893.

‍