Preview Titans vs Birmingham Moseley

The first round of National League One fixtures of the New Year brought big victories for the top three sides. League leaders Chinnor were the day’s highest points scorers, registering a 10-47 win at Heywood Road against Sale FC who slip below Taunton into bottom spot. Second placed Rams stayed within touching distance following a 27-8 win at home against Sedgley Park as the Thames Valley enjoyed a day of domination over their Mancunian rivals. In third spot Plymouth Albion maintained the pressure with a 39-23 win over Bishop’s Stortford. The Hertfordshire side are now in 11^th place on 30 points and have the target on their backs for the sides occupying the relegation spots.

The remaining four fixtures were all settled by margins of just one or two points. Leicester Lions moved off the bottom of the table courtesy of a 27-29 victory at Blackheath that takes the East Midlanders above Taunton. Titans had a late kick to win the game at the Athletic Ground but finished on the wrong side of the22-21 result and have to settle for a losing bonus point. Cinderford notched a much needed win in the Forest of Dean over Darlington Mowden Park, squeaking a24-23 encounter that gives them a little breathing space in the fight to avoid the drop to National Two whilst Birmingham Moseley succumbed 32-33 at home to Rosslyn Park.

It is Birmingham Moseley who visit Veritas Park to take on the Titans this Saturday. When the two teams met at The Reddings in September the home side took the spoils35-22 despite a brace of tries for Noah Fenton. The Midlanders currently occupy sixth place in the league with 8 wins and 7 defeats. That sort of record suggest an ability to win home games but struggle on the road – something that should encourage the Somerset fans to roar on the Titans on Saturday afternoon.

The premier club from England’s second city, Moseley was formed in 1873 by cricketers looking for some winter diversion. They traditionally play in red and black and it was they who contested the Olympic Rugby title at the Paris Games in 1900,securing silver on behalf of Great Britain in the competition’s only fixture. When the professional era arrived, Moseley was placed in the top division but were relegated in 1991 and have wandered the National Leagues ever since. Following administration in 1998, they sold off their historic home, The Reddings, and played at several homes before settling at Billesley Common,Yardley Wood Road.

Moseley was relegated to National League One in 2016 and has been known since that time as Birmingham Moseley. They number many internationals amongst their former players including Steve Ojomoh, Les Cusworth, Victor Ubogu, Mike Teague and Simon Hodgkinson. It was a close-run thing when the two sides last met at Veritas Park with Titans sneaking a home win by 22-19 despite a second-half comeback from the visitors.

Birmingham Moseley is coached by Adam Balding, the former Leicester, Gloucester and Newcastle number 8 and he has alongside him now as scrum and defence coach Ashley Johnson who played in the Premiership for Wasps and internationally for South Africa. Their assistant physiotherapist is Naomi Johnson. Back row forward Suvwe Obano is brother of Bath and England prop Beno and cousin of Maro Itoje.

Warriors racked up another impressive victory at the weekend, this time beating Weston-super-Mare’s 2^nd XV 91-24 with five individual tries for Will de Boemhler.

This Saturday’s match sponsor is Otter South West, plumbing and heating. Louis Forgham from Otter South West will be with us throughout the day and we hope him and his guests all have a brilliant day.

Kick-off for Titans vs Birmingham Moseley at Veritas Park is at 3pm. Entry is £15 for adults and free for Under-16s. Parking at Veritas Park on Hyde Lane costs £5 with free parking in the overflow car park across the road. There’s no better way to set yourself up for a January afternoon watching rugby than with TRFC’s sensational pre-match carvery – a veritable bargain at £20 per head. Contact the club office on 01823 336363 to make a booking. There will also be delicious hot pasties and coffees available before and during the game from the Proper Cornish pasty van and three bars will be open.

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.