Matt Anstis is set to return for Services this weekend after injury (picture by Mark Andrews)

DEVONPORT Services are looking to open their home campaign with a win when they welcome St Ives to the Rectory on Saturday in Western Counties West (3pm).

Services were left frustrated last weekend when they lost 22-19 at Bude, who won the match with the last kick of the game (3pm).

Joint coach Mike Lewis did not feel his young team deserved that defeat but felt there were plenty of positives to take from the game.

“We had an insanely young team out, but it’s good for the future,” said Lewis.

“Bude is a hard place to play. Their pitch is quite narrow, they have a big, bulky pack, usually a referee on their side and it is really hard to get a win there. No teams go there and turn them over by 30 or 40 points. They have got a very experienced side.

“But we were unfortunately at the end. A couple of decisions just did not go our way.

“We did everything right to win the game. We did fantastically well, but we didn’t win it because of some extenuating circumstances.”

Lewis is hoping his team can put that right this weekend.

“It’s our first home game and I’m really excited about it, to be honest,” said Lewis.

“The boys are really enthusiastic. We have got a couple of players back from niggling injuries. Matt Anstis should be back. We could just do with a bit more experience as we were lacking there last Saturday, but at the same time there was no fear and that almost won us the game.

“But we might just need that bit more experience this week to just control the game a bit better.

“We are all really excited to play a home game. I always love going to the Rec. it’s a nice environment, the clubhouse is nice, the pitch is nice, there’s a nice stand – it’s just a fantastic place to be.

“St Ives generally don’t travel too well but early in the season they probably will.

“We will be up against it again, but we will have home advantage this time.”

St Ives, promoted into Western Counties West along with Bude, are also looking for their first win of the season, having lost 23-12 at home to Cullompton last Saturday.

Meanwhile, Services’ second team face a tough trip to Exmouth in the Devon Merit Table on Saturday, while the club’s colts host Ivybridge.