Devonport Services make a break in their Devon Intermediate Cup match against Sidmouth on Saturday (picture by Mark Andrews)
TAMAR Saracens have moved a step closer to Twickenham by beating Devon One rivals Totnes 21-13 away in the RFU Junior Vase.
Sarries have now claimed three victories in the competition to win the Devon section. They will now play Cornish side Veor in the Devon-Cornwall final.
Veor edged out Liskeard-Looe, the last Plymouth Combination side to reach Twickenham, 28-27 at Lux Park.
Saracens coach Stuart Busfield certainly sees no reason why his team can’t keep progressing.
“I think we are good enough at our level and have got as good a chance as anyone,” he said.
A Richie Bush drive score, Joe Wyatt with a well-worked move off the training field, and a 50-metre effort by number eight Dave Chorley accounted for Sarries tries, with Tom Rigby, who had an outstanding game, converting them all.
“It was a really good win against a good side,” added Busfield.
“What was really nice is that despite it being a really hard and bitterly-fought game and Totnes were obviously disappointed to lose, they still wished us good luck afterwards and told us to do it for Devon.
“We are flying the flag for the city and Devon now.
“We are looking forward to the next game now against Veor. Hopefully, we will be at home.
“What was also really good on Saturday is that we had players out but the guys who came in really stepped up to the mark. That is really pleasing as it shows the club is doing things right. As I’m with the first team I don’t get to see the second team played that often and it shows the guys running it are doing a good job.”
OPMs got the bonus point win they hoped for in their replayed Devon One match with St Columba and Torpoint at Elburton.
The Old Boys had beaten the Saints 68-0 on the opening day of the season but the score could not stand as there was no RFU referee.
But OPMs, despite missing a host of players, made sure of the full five points on Saturday with seven tries, three of which were scored by Mike Eaves.
It was the perfect way to bounce back from their 56-0 defeat to neighbours Tamar Saracens last weekend.
Devonport Services score a try in their Devon Intermediate Cup match against Sidmouth on Saturday (picture by Mark Andrews)
It was a disappointing weekend for the Plymouth Combination sides in the Devon Intermediate Cup, with Devonport Services, Tavistock and Plymouth Argaum all going out.
Services and Tavistock were both defeated by late scores.
Services lost 27-24 to Western Counties West rivals Sidmouth. The match was level at 24-24 going into the dying seconds when Services were penalised and Sidmouth kicked the penalty.
Devonport, who had been 12 points down at one stage, did out-score Sidmouth four tries to three, with Ben McGowan, Matt Morrison, Dan Shahin and Joe Daley touching down.
Cornwall/Devon side Tavistock nearly caused a surprise at home to Western Counties West neighbours Okehampton.
Tavistock were 6-3 up with just minutes to go but Gareth Evans’ Okes side dug deep and scored a converted drive try to win 10-6.
Fellow Cornwall/Devon team Argaum, who have always said their priority was the league, went down 28-13 at home to Western Counties West outfit Tiverton, who have former Albion players Tom Skelding and Wayne Sprangle on their coaching staff.
Argaum did make Tiverton work hard for their victory and it was only in the second half that the visitors pulled away.
Ivybridge were left without a match at the weekend after Teignmouth pulled out of their Devon Senior Cup match due to front-row problems. The Bridgers will face Exmouth in the last four after Jon Hill’s side overcame Newton Abbot 39-27.
Former Albion captain Ruairi Cushion scored two tries for Exmouth, while Newton Abbot’s on-loan Albion lock Shek Sherrif also went over for two scores.
The referee finds himself in the middle of the action in Devonport Services’ Devon Intermediate Cup match against Sidmouth on Saturday (picture by Mark Andrews)