IVYBRIDGE Rugby Club step up their preparations for the new season in earnest this week.
On Thursday, the newly-promoted National Three South West side will take part in a 10s tournament at Polson Bridge, along with two sides from home club Launceston and one from Gareth Evans’ Okehampton.
Then on Saturday, the Cross-in-Hand outfit will take on a South Sea Islands XV at home as part of their Family Tag Day. The senior game will kick-off at 2.30pm, but the fun day starts at 10am.
The club will be fielding mix-and-match teams for both fixtures. The plan is that players who do not play on Thursday will feature on Saturday.
“The idea is just to get some game-time early,” said player-coach Lewis Paterson.
“There is a good aura around the club at the moment and we are really looking forward to Thursday and Saturday. The boys are itching to play a bit of rugby.”
The match against a team made up of Fijians and Samoans was a late addition to Ivybridge’s pre-season fixture list.
“I’m sure they will bring some physicality, which will be good as National Three will be physical,” said Paterson.
Ivybridge also have pre-season matches arranged against Wadebridge, Launceston’s first and seconds, Exeter University, Devonport Services and Torquay Athletic.
“Everyone will get plenty of game-time and be watched,” added Paterson.