TITANS’ bonus point victory last weekend sets the scene for a cracking derby clash with Clifton at Hyde Park tomorrow.

Titan’s 33-22 victory over Southend was good, but the manner of their comeback was even better.

Taking a 15-0 first half lead, the Somerset men showed a confidence and control befitting a team challenging for league honours.

It is, however, not the first time Titans have shown glimpses of their true abilities.

Titans Champagne rugby has thrilled only to see it thrown away with misplaced benevolence, gifting games to the opposition with simple errors, missed tackles and a glaring lack of confidence in their undeniable ability.

The fragility surfaced for a ten minute spell in the second half when the Titans wobbled to go 15-22 behind.

Just when the fainthearted were preparing for another Titans capitulation, the Taunton men found their heart with driving carries by Sam Prior and the omnipresent Dean Taylor-Menzies knocked the fight out of Southend’s resistance.

Tries from Taylor-Menzies and Will Carrick-Smith, augmented by two penalties and a conversion from Bret Turner, and the Titans were home and dry.

Titans win is made more significant ‘if’ Yapp’s young squad have found the confidence lacking so far this season.

One swallow, however, does not make a summer. Titans will need to show the same confidence and focus on Saturday when Clifton visit Hyde Park determined to win South West bragging rights.

The Bristol side ground out a forward dominated win over Lydney building their confidence for Saturdays clash.

Coach Tony Yapp repeated his call to Taunton fans to support their local team.

He said: “We virtually started from scratch with 18 newcomers added to just 12 players retained from last season.

“We’ve made a good job of our reduced budgets and worked very hard to build a competitive team.

“We have faced four of the leagues top teams in our first five outings and had 13 players unavailable for selection last week.

“Regardless, Taunton’s team managed a good win after a five hour bus trip to Southend.

“All Titans rugby are doing their very best to Taunton a tem to be proud of flying the Somerset flag on the National League stage.

“I think it only fair to ask local sports fans to show their support turning out to get behind their team in this important South-West derby.” Kick-off at Hyde Park is 3pm.