RUGBY: D Day for Titans as Bournemouth come to Hyde Park (From Somerset County Gazette)

RUGBY: D Day for Titans as Bournemouth come to Hyde Park

7:10am Saturday 23rd March 2013 in Sport

TITANS play Bournemouth at Hyde Park today in a key game that could determine Taunton’s National League survival.

Currently 14th in the League, Taunton are staring relegation in the face and desperately need points to avoid the drop.

Coach Tony Yapp said: “It’s a massive game on Saturday.

“With 18 players unavailable due to injuries etc in recent weeks it’s been tough.

“I’m pleased to report that eight or nine lads returning from injury will move us closer to a full strength side for this one. “Home crowds can be so often be the 16th man in key games. Fan power worked well for Wales and Italy in last weeks Six Nations and I urge Taunton rugby fans to turn out in force and support our lads for this massively important game.

“We took a hiding in Henley last week, but in defeat I was not unhappy with the effort and commitment of my team.

“Henley spent three seasons grooming their current squad for a promotion challenge.

“They are on top of their game and quite simply a stronger team outgunned us.

“The Titans are a young side and have been together for only nine months.

“Its a big ask to expect them to defeat seasoned promotion challengers at this stage in our development. Bournemouth is another story.

“We should have beaten them at their place, but some unfortunate refereeing, an outrageous red card and a Titans team that did not turn up to play until the last quarter saw the game lost 30-27.

“When my 14 man Titans started to play at Bournemouth in November a blistering spell of high intensity rugby blew them off the park as we ran in three tries in less than ten minutes.

“It was too late to save that day, but this Saturday is a fresh start.

“We have the players and with some Somerset passion, intensity and application from the first whistle for the full 80 minute we should win this one. “I’m confident of a big performance from my players and trust it will be an equally big performance from our supporters."

The match kicks off at Hyde Park at 3pm.

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