Improved weather to boost Taunton bid for title glory (From Somerset County Gazette)

Improved weather to boost Taunton bid for title glory

7:00am Friday 5th February 2010

• Print
• Email
• Share

IMPROVED weather and firmer pitches will help Taunton’s bid for a second consecutive title and 100% winning season, according to director of rugby Lee Waddon.

Taunton were close to their fluent best to record a 47-10 win at Reading on Saturday (see page 125).

That maintained Taunton’s 13-point lead at the top of National Three (SW) and stretched their league-winning streak to 40 matches.

The Hyde Lane outfit have eight league matches left and Waddon believes Taunton’s lightening-quick back line will become harder to handle as the end of the season approaches.

He said: “It’s no secret we suit firmer ground.

“We’ve done so well to keep grinding out results through the winter months but, when the warmer weather gets here, I think we’ll be even more of an attacking threat.

“Our back three are probably the best in the league and we’ve got so much pace throughout the side.

“We showed it against Reading.

“They took some breaking down but we stuck at out game plan and blew them away with some great attacking rugby on a slightly firmer pitch than we have been playing on.

“We must have put 15 phases together for Phil Hogarth’s try.”

Meanwhile, Taunton have signed former Exeter, Plymouth and Newbury tight-head prop George Davies. With Chris Phillips unavailable, he is set to go straight into the side to face Chinnor at Hyde Park on Saturday.

TAUNTON have won the toss for home advantage against local rivals Bridgwater and Albion in the semi-final of Somerset Cup. The tie will be played on Tuesday, February 23, 7.30pm.

• Print
• Email
• Share