THE region’s Devon One and Two sides turn their attentions to the county junior cup this weekend.
Devonport High School Old Boys have a tough task on their hands when they travel to South Molton.
South Molton finished second-from-bottom in the Cornwall/Devon League last season, whereas DHSOB were second-from-bottom in Devon Two.
However, the Stonehouse Creek-based side will travel in good heart after their narrow 24-17 away defeat to Devon One favourites Old Techs last weekend.
DHSOB used many of their new signings from the Plymouth Fiji side. They did out-score Old Techs on tries, but paid the price for giving away too many penalties against their city neighbours.
Director of rugby Mike Freeman said: “We’ve got South Molton away and we are trying to make a day of it. We are hoping to get a second team match as well.
“They are in Devon One, having just come down from the Cornwall/Devon League, so it is going to be a challenge. It is a big step up but we are making progress.
“Last week Old Techs’ forward-dominated game won them the match. We had a high penalty count against us, but we did out-score them three tries to two. It was a good game and we got a good bonus point from it.”
Tamar Saracens will be hoping to continue their good form when they entertain fellow Devon One side New Cross in the Devon Junior Cup on Saturday.
Saracens have already enjoyed success in the RFU Junior Vase, winning the Devon section, and they will be hoping for similar success in this competition.
Their Devon One rivals OPMs are planning on making wholesale changes for their home cup match against Devon Two side Buckfastleigh.
OPMs have recovered from their early season hammering by Tamar Saracens and have won their last two games, beating St Columba & Torpoint 42-0 and New Cross 23-15.
“We are on a high at the moment,” said coach Leigh Puttock. “And we are going to give a lot of guys on the fringes an opportunity this weekend.
“I think we are going to make 12 changes. I think it’s a game we can do that as they are a league down from us and it’s important to give guys opportunities.”
If OPMs and Tamar Saracens both win then they will face each other in the second round.
Unbeaten Devon Two side Old Techs face a tough task when they travel to unbeaten Devon One team North Tawton.
Meanwhile, Western Counties West side Saltash will be hoping to reach the semi-finals of the Cornwall Senior Cup.
They face a quarter-final tie away at their league rivals Wadebridge on Saturday.