Canterbury v Taunton Titans Match Preview
This is unarguably the game of the weekend in National 2 South where 2nd place play 3rd in a mouth-watering clash.With only 2 points separating them in the league and only 1 point separating them in the game at the end of September this is going to be a game to remember.
Back in September Taunton won 23 - 22 with a couple of missed kicks from the visitors the difference in the Titans winning or losing that day. Tries that day from the Titans back row contingent of Jamie Fleming, Jarrard Hayler and Ratu Vakalutukali were cancelled out by 4 tries for Canterbury scored by Jonathan Murray, Charlie Grimes, Oliver Best and Daniel Smart but even though Canterbury claimed the try bonus point the boot of Gary Kingdom saw the Titans claim the all important 4 points.
In the first 7 weeks of the season Canterbury were 3 wins from 7 but after that they went on to win the next 8 and propel themselves up to 2nd in the league. However the last 3 games have seen a dip inform with only 1 win in 3 which has allowed Taunton to move up the table.
This week with both the Titans and Warriors heading to Canterbury to take on their Canterbury equivalent there will be a great atmosphere and as normal the two teams will produce another close but exciting game with either team capable of claiming the win and 2nd place in the league come Saturday evening.
There are a couple of changes for the Titans this weekend from their win against Birmingham & Solihull last week. In the forwards Dan Ogden partners Milo Reynolds in the second row with Cory Teague missing out due to illness. Charlie drops to the back row to cover for the injured Jarrard Hayler. In the backs the only change see Gary Kingdom restored to full back. On the bench the only one to remain from last week is Alex Spurdle with Alfie Petch, Sam Prior, Max Woodward and Toby East all joining him.
Titans Team v Canterbury
1 Sonny Haines
2 Chris Francis
3 Isaac Dalton
4 Milo Reynolds
5 Dan Ogden
6 Charlie Williams
7 Ratu Vakalutukali
8 Ben Oliphant-Thompson
9 Jacob Nash
10 Lewis Webb (Capt)
11 Ollie Rice
12 Freddie Fraser
13 Nick Mason
14 Aron Struminski
15 Gary Kingdom
16 Alex Spurdle
17 Alfie Petch
18 Sam Prior
19 Max Woodward
20 Toby East