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Preview: Taunton

Preview: Taunton

Mike Barber23 Oct 2019 - 10:49
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https://www.cliftonrugby.co.uk

Clifton Gear Up for Huge West Country Derby

Clifton make the familiar Friday night journey down to Taunton this week with more than West Country bragging rights at stake. The top two teams in the West Country currently sit 2nd & 3rd in the table and know that a win will eagerly boost their season campaign and help gain further momentum.

Tonbridge have been the early pace-setters this year, picking up 94 of the last 95 available points on offer since last season but came unstuck last week against a rampant Henley Hawks who are once again firing on all cylinders. With Tonbridge tied on 30 points at the top with Taunton (who inflicted a painful 68-29 defeat on the Titans); Henley in 4th on 27 points behind Clifton (28 points), the Lavender & Blacks head South knowing that they face a stern test of their credentials at Towergate Stadium.

After seeing his side record their 6th victory in 7 matches against struggling Bournemouth last week, Matt Salter is looking forward to the match up against Tony Yapp's Titans.
"We were great in the first half against Bournemouth, we executed the things we worked on in training and we've seen a real transfer from training into games. But we know this weekend is a step up, it's a great test to see where we are in relation to the sides around us. We've always had good battles against Taunton, they have consistently been at the top end of the table for a few years now so it will give us an indication of our form. That said, we are going there to get a result, we've got a squad that is, in my opinion, one of the best we have had so we are focused on the job we need to do."

Clifton have retained Gloucester Academy Duo Rhys Dunne and Tom Stanton in their training squad this week as well as Wales U20 winger Alex Morgan. However, Archie Benson will be unavailable for a short period after picking up an ankle injury in training.

Jack Williams, Man of the Match against Bournemouth, is fit alongside Harry Bate and Dan Broady whilst Niall Gibbons is set to return this week after a short lay off.

"We are excited for the challenge, the boys have been bouncing all week for this, there is a great atmosphere around the club and we are itching to get into the game Friday night. We've looked at them, but more importantly we have again focused on ourselves and where we need to be clinical. We can't wait."

Clifton v Taunton | Friday 25th October 2019 | Towergate Stadium | Kick Off: 19:45

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