TAUNTON Titans begin their latest campaign in National League 2 (South) at Cambridge today. And despite a 34-28 defeat at the hands of the University of Wales (Cardiff) at Hyde Park in a friendly last weekend, coach Tony Yapp is feeling confident ahead of the new season.

He said: “It was a thoroughly useful exercise with the degree of edginess giving the players some necessary battle hardness.

“The physicality of the game was a good test of our overall fitness and I was pleased with what I saw in that regard.

“Our problem now is one of selection – with everyone coming through unscathed and some other players coming back into the reckoning like Jake Woolmore and Gary Kingdom it won’t be an easy task.”

A surprising number of spectators turned out for the first full public viewing of the Titans this season. A full double-header run-out fixture had been arranged against the students at both 1st XV and 2nd XV levels. In the event the much fitter students not surprisingly saw off Taunton’s second string with comparative ease, this being used as an opportunity to have a good look at some fringe players who will undoubtedly be knocking on the Titans’ door in the weeks ahead.

The Titans game proved to be a true test for both sides.

It was a ‘no holds barred’ physical confrontation with the UWIC students seemingly ready to wade in ‘en masse’ at the slightest provocation as the first half unfolded. The reason for their unsavoury display was the frustration caused by the iron grip the Titans took on the scrummages and line-outs. Conversely the students always threatened through their backs, constantly digging and probing and with some pace. Titans displayed impressive discipline in their rolling mauls in addition to their set pieces.

The students led 12-15 at half-time and turned this into a final result of 28-34, the second half proving to be a truly entertaining contest. Once the hot-headedness subsided, having been dealt with by the referee, it was always a competitive yet edgy game with both sides displaying considerable skill.