West Country Wills Match Preview Round 7 Luctonians vs Taunton Titans

Having threatened to do so the previous week, Taunton Titans really hit their straps with a comprehensive home win over Old Redcliffians, the final score line reading 62-29. Well might the entire senior squad have enjoyed the Oktoberfest evening at Veritas Park with the Warriors also triumphing over Old Reds in a double-header. There was a first try in Titans’ colours for each of Ollie Devoto and Harry Beasley but it was flying winger Rocky Prowse who gained the plaudits, crossing the whitewash on no fewer than five occasions. In his programme interview, Prowse had announced his ambition to emulate fellow Old Blundellian Noah Fenton’s try-scoring exploits this season and with eight in total thus far he is now in second place in the division, though still five scores behind Camborne’s free-scoring hooker and captain of Cornwall, Ben Priddey.

This Saturday’s opponents, Luctonians, are flying high in the division. After six rounds they remain in the hunt for honours but have handed the lead over to Cornish side Camborne after an away defeat, their first of the season, at Redruth. Victory for Titans at Luctonians’ Mortimer Park home in Kingsland, Herefordshire would be a massive marker for the rest of the league campaign. Titans’ win over Old Redcliffians moves the Somerset side up to fifth in the table and very much in contention now after a mixed start to the campaign.

Playing in black and white hoops, Luctonians are Herefordshire’s premier sports team. They have played in National League Two since 2019, regaining a spot in the highest level they have achieved in their76-year history since their foundation in 1948, having previously enjoyed an 8-year stint in National Two North. Initially, in their early days, the club was comprised mainly of old boys of Lucton School near Leominster and they played their fixtures in a field behind the local pub, the Angel Inn. Amongst their number at that time was the club’s only England international, Douglas Vaughan. The flourishing club has since expanded to offer cricket, netball, cycling, archery, rounders and pétanque in addition to four men’s rugby XVs, a women’s team and both touch and junior rugby.

Luctonians run pre-match hospitality two-course lunches for 200 covers before every home 1st XV fixture but tables are usually sold out ahead of the coming season. For any visitors hoping to squeeze on to a table, you can enquire at events@luctonians.co.uk tosee whether there have been any late cancellations. The entry fee is £10 for adults whilst Under 16s go free. Card or cash is accepted but dogs are strictly prohibited for health and safety reasons. There are two bars, one inside the clubhouse and Big Pete’s bar outside it. Hot food is available from an outdoor serving hatch, from around half an hour before kick-off. Covered seating is available in the grandstand but this is open and available to all on a first-come, first-serve basis. The only way to get to Luctonians is by car and there is ample free parking.

Taunton Warriors, in fourth place on the table, are their division’s top points scorers. They host Chosen Hill Former Pupils at Veritas Park this Saturday. The club from Churchdown in Gloucester is struggling in the nether reaches of the Counties 1 Tribute Western North whilst Warriors, having won 57-29 against Old Reds, are in the pack chasing Cleve at the top end of the table. Kick-off is at3pm.

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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