At The Half Way Mark of the Season Taunton host Redruth for What Could be a Christmas Cracker

We are now at the half way mark of the season where we start to get into the return fixtures and with Worthing Raiders the last game of the season away the first return fixture of the season sees a mouthwatering Xmas Special as Taunton Titans welcome Redruth to the Commsplus Stadium.

Back in the second week of September the Titans headed down to the infamous Hell Fire Corner and narrowly lost 29 - 27. For those who travelled down to see this game you will recall that the Titans didn't really start to play until the last 15 minutes when they were 22 - 3 down. For those with a glass half full way of looking at things Taunton won those last 15 minutes 7 - 24 but those with a more down to earth attitude scratched their heads wondering why Taunton couldn't play like that in the opening 65 minutes. A lot of this was down to Redruth not allowing the Titans to play but the squad went away disappointed and will be looking forward to this weekend to see if they can put in a full 80 minute performance.

Last time out Sam Brown kicked a penalty in the opening couple of minutes before Redruth took control with tries from fly half Richard Kevern, a penalty try, one from winger Dean Bonds and full back Aaron Simmonds. With a penalty and conversion from Kevern making up the rest of their points before Taunton started to get back into the game. Oscar Kolowski scored for the Titans before 2 penalty tries and another for Ratu Vakalutukali with an interception try for Redruth scored by James Tucker and converted by Simmonds which ended up the difference between the two teams.

Since that fixture both teams have had some mixed performances and Redruth, who have been hampered with injuries have slipped down to 7 place with 7 wins, 7 losses and 1 draw. Both teams will be looking to start their festive period with a great performance and more importantly an early Christmas present of some league points.

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After last weeks fine performance in horrendous conditions the coaches have only made a couple of changes, which isn't surprising as conditions underfoot could well be the same. The two changes see Ben Oliphant-Thompson come into the back row with Ratu Vakalutukali and Jarrard Hayler, with Sam Prior coming onto the bench and the only other change in the squad see Gary Kingdom return to full back with Sam Brown on the bench.

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1 Sonny Haines

2 Sam Williams

3 Alfie Petch

4 Cory Teague

5 Dan Ogden

6 Ratu 'Toots' Vakalutukali

7 Jarrard Hayler

8 Ben Oliphant-Thompson

9 Jacob Nash

10 Lewis Webb (Captain)

11 Ollie Rice

12 Freddie Fraser

13 Nick Mason

14 Aron Struminski

15 Gary Kingdom

16 Chris Francis

17 Isaac Dalton

18 Andy England

26 Sam Prior

20 Sam Brown