THE victory by the Titans over Worthing Raiders made the long journey to the seaside all the sweeter and gave further evidence of what a peculiar curate’s egg of a season this is proving to be for Taunton, writes Dick Macey.

Having shown a degree of naïve ineptitude the work before in suffering defeat at the hands of Redruth, this week - after what is now a traditional slow start - the Titans put their armour on.

The visitors put on a sparkling second-half display which belied the greasy conditions and saw them stretch Worthing to the limit with some spirited rugby, with far fewer mistakes than have been apparent of late.

It is not surprising, given the pretty dire weather around the country in recent weeks, that the form book is being ripped up week-on-week and some surprising results are popping up. 

Aside from Cinderford who are now riding high at the top, and Chinnor, who are beginning to lag in second place, there is no predictability about the remaining league fixtures. 

I would contend there is no team in the division that can live with the Titans on a dry surface but their game clearly begins to stutter when the surface chops up and other sides find an opportunity to step up. 

The Titans’ opponents next week, Bury St Edmunds, are a case in point having put one over on Redruth, which will set them up for their visit to Hyde Park.

Similarly, the bottom side, Broadstreet, hammered London Irish Wild Geese 34-0, Old Redcliffians frightened the life out of Henley before only losing out to a penalty try in the closing moments of their game and Redingensians were held to a draw at home against surprise package Tonbridge Juddians.

For the Titans, Gary Kingdom’s return to fitness has been an undoubted lift, if only because his kicking reliability brings stability and reward in equal measure.

Despite the leg-pulling he suffers for the unheard advice he is constantly offering, the side has a much-needed balance when he is in place. Keep taking the tablets, Donkey!

Saturday’s game against BSE at the Commsplus Stadium also sees the annual gathering of former players and this year over 110 will be swapping yarns. Lunch will commence at 1pm with the game kicking off at 3pm.