MATCH PREVIEW: BARNSTAPLE V TAUNTON TITANS

MATCH PREVIEW: BARNSTAPLE v TAUNTON TITANS

Titans and Barnstaple clash with top spot on the line

The Taunton Titans head into their second game of the 2026/27 National League 2 West campaign this Saturday with plenty of momentum behind them as they make the trip to North Devon to face Barnstaple.

After an emphatic opening weekend, the Titans will be looking to make it two wins from two against an equally confident Barnstaple side, setting up an intriguing early-season battle between two teams who have both made flying starts.

The Titans opened their campaign in style last Friday night, running out 53–17 winners against Devonport Services at a packed Summerfield Stadium. With just six short of 1,100 supporters inside the ground, there was a real sense of excitement around the club as seven players made their first-team debuts for the Titans.

It was a performance that showcased plenty of promise from a new-look squad.

After a challenging opening 20 minutes, the Titans settled into their rhythm and began to take control. For the seven debutants, it was an especially memorable introduction to life in a Titans shirt — and the squad will now be looking to build on that promising first outing.

BARNSTAPLE IN FORM

Standing in their way are a Barnstaple side who could hardly have made a better start themselves.

The Chiefs travelled to Exeter University on the opening weekend and returned to North Devon with a 53–24 victory, matching the Titans' 53-point haul and immediately putting themselves among the early pacesetters in National 2 West.

With both sides having scored more than 50 points in their opening fixtures, supporters could be in for another entertaining West Country contest.

And with only one game played, the prize is already significant. A second consecutive victory would give either side a perfect start and potentially put them at the top of National 2 West.

A RIVALRY WITH PLENTY OF HISTORY

There is certainly no shortage of recent history between these two sides.

When the teams last met in North Devon in January, it was the Titans who came away with the spoils, securing an impressive 31–24 victory at Barnstaple. The result demonstrated that Taunton have what it takes to win in the tough environment of Pottington Road.

The previous meeting at Summerfield Stadium was an altogether different affair. Barnstaple claimed a 41–34 victory in September 2025 in a high-scoring encounter that underlined just how closely matched these two teams can be.

That recent record adds another layer to Saturday's contest. The Titans know they have already won at Barnstaple, while Barnstaple will be determined to reverse that result and make home advantage count.

Barnstaple Chiefs v Taunton Titans
Saturday 12 September 2026
2:30pm
National 2 West

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