TAUNTON Titans are hoping to bounce back from their first defeat of the season as they travel to face London Irish Wild Geese on Saturday (3pm).

Tony Yapp’s side surrendered their place at the National 2 South summit as a result of Saturday’s 42-31 reverse at home to mid-table Henley Hawks, and will be aiming to get back to winning ways ahead of a two-week break.

They return with three matches against fellow promotion-chasers that could go a long way to defining their season, but must clear the Geese hurdle before they can focus on upcoming games against Redingensians Rams, Chinnor and Cinderford.

Titans captain Nick Mason admitted after Saturday’s defeat that the club were “always unlikely to go the whole season unbeaten”, and added: “The beauty of this league is that we can dust ourselves down and go again up at the Wild Geese.”

Taunton won the corresponding fixture 49-24 last season.

Elsewhere, top plays bottom in Somerset Premier as league leaders Wiveliscombe host Tor.

Wellington, who are second in Cornwall & Devon, travel to mid-table Withycombe, while Wyvern host Chew Valley in Somerset One.

Fixtures - Saturday, November 11

National Two South - London Irish Wild Geese v Taunton Titans (3pm)

Cornwall & Devon - Withycombe v Wellington

Somerset Premier - Wiveliscombe v Tor

Somerset One - Wellington 2nds v Crewkerne 2nds, Wyvern v Chew Valley

Somerset Two (S) - Wells v Wiveliscombe 2nds

Somerset Three (S) - Cheddar Valley v Taunton Wanderers