DEVONPORT Services showed their strength in depth during a 10s event at the Rectory on Friday night.
Services put two teams out in a four-way contest with Cornwall/Devon League outfit Liskeard-Looe and Devon One side Tamar Saracens.
Both Devonport teams ended up unbeaten, with Services Blues beating Tamar Saracens 40-0 and Liskeard 15-0, while drawing 12-12 with their club colleagues Services Reds, who beat Liskeard 24-5 and Sarries 17-0.
The hosts used the evening to have a look at some of their new signings like Dino Bozic, Corey Jamieson, Jake Inglis and James McQuillan, who all got on the scoresheet, as well as some colts, mixed in with more experienced players like Rhys Williams, Luke Kenny and Mark Friend.
“It was exactly what we expected,” said Services head coach Mike Lewis afterwards. “We were a bit rusty at times and it probably wasn’t the most aesthetically pleasing rugby, but that’s what you expect at this stage of the year.
“It’s good for the players to get a bit of contact under their belt. I think Liskeard and Sarries got what they wanted out of it as well.
“It was competitive rugby and it was just a chance to get some match fitness.”
Matt Neyle-Opie, Liam Jarvis, Mark Friend, Joe McKinley, Dylan Daley, Corey Jamieson, Tomas Keresi, Andy Pond were among the try scorers for Services Blues, while Toby Knowles, Luke Kenny, Rhys Williams, Will Marsh, Watisoni Radaubale, Jake Inglis, James McQuillan and Jon-Jo Kelly were among the try scorers for Services Reds.
Devon One outfit Tamar Saracens were the lowest ranked of the sides, but they took positives out of the evening.
“It was good for the boys,” said Sarries head coach Pete Lethbridge. “I think the first game (against Services Blues) we were a bit shell-shocked. But the second game (against Liskeard) was a bit more at our level and we bossed it a bit and got the win (12-10), which was good. We were also well in the last game (against Services Reds).
“We gave them a bit of a rollicking after the first game. That was a bit of a wake-up call, but Services have got strength in depth. I think our lads enjoyed it come the end.
“We’ll take a lot from it. I think fitness has to be worked on a little bit, but it’s still quite early pre-season.”
Sarries will continue their pre-season preparations next Saturday with a game against Tavistock.
Meanwhile, the Ernesettle-based club have confirmed that Devon hooker Chey Bryce has returned to them. He featured in Friday’s 10s event.
Bryce coached the club for a season-and-a-half while out with an ACL injury, but then returned to South West Premier side Brixham to play. However, he left Brixham at the end of last season and has re-joined Sarries – but just as a player.
Sarries also hope to have a couple of other new signings ahead of the start of the season.
“Chey is signing for us to play and we hope to have a couple of navy lads,” said Lethbridge. “I think we are going to have three of four new boys come in and things are looking quit promising for the season.”
Lethbridge added: “I think Chey just wants to play and enjoy it and not have the pressure of coaching. We said he was more than welcome to come down. He has done a lot for the club over the past couple of years and he can bring a lot of experience as he has played at a high level.”
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