Devon president Maureen Jackson and chairman Treve Mitchell show off the new David Butt Memorial Trophy

OLD Techs coach Shaun Bedford-Smith is hoping his side can cause an upset on Sunday and become the first winners of the David Butt Memorial Trophy.

The Weston Mill-based Devon Two side take on Devon One outfit New Cross in the final at Barnstaple’s Pottington Road ground (2.30pm).

New Cross will start as favourites with them being a league higher and current Devon Junior Vase holders.

However, Old Techs are quite happy to be the underdogs, just like they were in the semi-finals last weekend against another Devon One side Totnes.

“Because we are a league below we will be going in as the underdogs, but we were last weekend against Totnes but got a result,” said Bedford-Smith.

“I don’t think people expected us to win at Totnes, but we did.

“It is nice to be in a final, especially before the league start. This is a bonus, but we don’t just want to go and have a nice day. We’ll be going there looking to win.

“But, like against Totnes, it is going to be a hard game.

“New Cross had some really good results at the end of last season. They really got their act together, but it just came a bit too late to get promotion.

“They have also beaten Exeter Saracens, who have just come down from the higher league, in this competition, so we know we are going to have to be on our game.”

Bedford-Smith is hoping his team start Sunday’s game better than last weekend’s semi-final against Totnes.

Old Techs found themselves 8-0 down in the semi and it could have been worse before upping their game considerably after the break and eventually winning 28-18 after extra-time.

“We’ve got to cut our penalty count down from last week and we need to start the first half better,” said Bedford-Smith.

“But the good thing about this game is it is at a neutral ground so no-one will have an advantage. No-one will have played on the pitch before.

“We are really looking forward to the game. It is another chance to test ourselves against higher league opposition.

“This competition has been a good stepping stone for the league and it’s had a real positive impact on the club.”

Both Old Techs and New Cross played in finals in April. Old Techs won the Lockie Cup and New Cross the Devon Junior Vase.

Bedford-Smith believes that recent experience of a cup final should help on Sunday.

“Having played in a cup final this year the players know what to expect,” he said. “We know how it feels, so we shouldn’t be overawed.”

Old Techs are taking a coach up to the game, which will be leaving Plymouth and 10.30am and returning at 9.30pm.

As well as the game, both teams will be treated to a meal afterwards at Barnstaple.

The final is being played at the north Devon club to honour former Devon chairman David Butt, who played at coached at Barum.

Butt died suddenly in April at the age of 63. Members of his family will be at Sunday’s game and will present the trophy and medals.

Meanwhile, DHSOB will play Devonport Services IIs in the first round of the Lockie Cup on Saturday at Stonehouse Creek.

Old Techs winning the Lockie Cup in April