Rugby

Services hope to kick-off big week with success in Lockie Cup and Ellis Trophy

DEVONPORT Services are hoping it will be a week to remember for the club with three finals within the space of four days.

On Wednesday night at the Rectory, Services’ second team will play Cornwall/Devon League outfit Plymstock Albion Oaks in the final of the Lockie Cup (7.30pm).

Ninety minutes before that prestigious event, Devonport’s third side will play Oaks’ second in the Ellis Trophy final.

Then on Saturday the club’s first team will travel to Chew Valley for a Western Counties promotion play-off match which will see the winner secure a place in South West One.

“I think it’s a nice bit of a reward at the end of a long, hard season having these cup finals,” said Services head coach Mike Lewis.

“If we finish the week without winning any of the games then we would feel mightily deflated, but we are pretty optimistic going into all three. Everyone is really keen. I don’t think there is any fear. Everyone is just looking forward to the games.”

On the Plymouth Combinational finals, Lewis added:  “Our second team against Plymstock’s first team will be a tough fixture.

“We had a training session with them (Oaks) at the start of the year and they were quite dangerous down on the 3G. We know they are quite a good side, who have probably been underachieving a bit in their league.

“In the other game, you don’t really know who will be in their second team, but our third team is basically our vets with a few other players who come and have a game every so often. They are a tight-knit bunch.

“They should be two really good games on Wednesday. I think they will be two entertaining games for sure.”

Lewis has good availability for all three finals this week. The club have used more than 50 players in their first team this season. However, with an important match on Saturday, Services will not be risking players on Wednesday who they might need for the promotion play-off game at Chew Valley.

“I think there are only 10 players in our whole squad who have not played in the first team at some point this season,” said Lewis.

“But none of the players who will be featuring on Wednesday will be playing on Saturday. I also don’t think any of the players that started last Saturday will be playing. It is as near enough a second team as we can put out.”

Oaks, meanwhile, will be keen to win the Lockie Cup after missing out on the final of the Devon Intermediate Shield and suffering a frustrating league defeat at home to Plymouth Argaum last Saturday.

Also on Wednesday, Saltash could be promoted to Western Counties West if they beat Tavistock away (7pm).

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