TAMAR Saracens are hoping to move a step closer to Twickenham this weekend thanks to help from Plymouth Albion.

Devon One promotion-hopefuls Saracens have a vital home South West RFU Junior Vase semi-final tie to play on Saturday against Cornish side Veor.

The winner will play either Widden or Old Sulians in the regional final and find themselves within touching distance of Twickenham, with the South West champions progressing to the national stages of the RFU Junior Vase.

However, Saracens are unable to host Veor at their own Parkway pitch as it is currently unplayable due to the bad weather.

Albion, though, have stepped in and are going to allow the city side to use their training pitch for the big cup match (2pm), providing it does not rain too much more in the next couple of days.

“Albion have saved the day,” said Tamar Saracens coach Stuart Busfield. “Our pitch is like a quagmire, but Albion have said we can use their top pitch and their changing rooms to enable the game to go ahead and prevent us from having more of a fixture backlog.

“It is a really good showing from Albion. They are certainly practising what they preach about supporting community rugby.

“We are desperate to play the game, even if it means playing on a neutral pitch.”

Saracens’ last match was postponed when New Cross refused to play on the Parkway pitch, even though the home side and the referee were happy to give it a go. They also still have a Devon Junior Vase game to reschedule.

It means Saracens, who sit fourth in Devon One, have not played since December 12 when they beat local rivals St Columba and Torpoint 55-0 away.

“The guys are really looking forward to this weekend,” said Busfield. “They are champing at the bit to play after what happened with the New Cross game.

“We have got a couple of players who are a struggling a bit because of injuries, but the guys who have stepped in recently have done a great job.”

Busfield, who is without recent signing James Hannaford, is pleased with Saracens’ strength in depth and says he would have confidence in anyone he selected.

Veor sit second in Cornwall One. Saracens could be second in Devon One, if they win their game in hand.

“All we know is that they are a similar level to ourselves and we know from history that they are usually pretty strong up front,” said Busfield.