DEVONPORT Services begin their preparations for life at level five tonight when they host Saltash at Keyham in a pre-season friendly (7pm).

Services secured a place in the newly-named Regional One South West league, formerly known as the South West Premier, after finishing as runners-up in South West One last season.

It was their second promotion in four years after 12 seasons in Western Counties West.

Back-row forward Tyler Busfield is one of the players that has come through the club’s youth ranks and helped them move up the leagues. He is thrilled that the club have finally joined the likes of Ivybridge, Brixham, Exmouth and Okehampton at level five.

“To get to this league from where we were has taken a lot of hard work, but the boys have done well and are really looking forward to the new season,” said Busfield.

“There’s a few of us who have come through the youth ranks from the age of seven through to 16 and then colts. To come all the way through and get to this point with the club is a privilege.”

Busfield says everyone at Services is looking forward to testing themselves at the higher level and having so many derby games.

“The big rivalry for us is obviously Ivybridge as that’s our main derby,” said Busfield. “But we’ve got the likes Brixham, Exmouth and Okehampton, plus Camborne and Launceston that are not too far away, so we are definitely looking forward to the challenge of this league.”

And Busfield says the club do not want to be just making up the numbers.

“Looking at training, I think we can be up there and challenging and not just settling for a mid-table or bottom half finish,” he admitted.

“The boys have been working really hard in pre-season.

“We’ve had a new coach come in (Ben Russell) and he’s done a great job. He’s come in and taken the reins pretty well. He brings loads of experience and the boys have been buying into the training.

“Going into the season I think we are looking quite strong.”

Busfield admits with a new coach coming in all the players have to try and prove a point in training and in the pre-season matches.

Services are also keen to raise their profile and Busfield recently visited his new sponsor, Turners of Roborough, to introduce himself.

Turner’s business manager Ian Buse was delighted to welcome him to their showroom.

“We wanted to get involved with Services because we recognise that they are a great club and we also wanted to get involved with local rugby,” said Buse.

They were particularly keen to sponsor Busfield as his dad works at one of their key support garages.

Services will follow up tonight’s match with another fixture against Tamar Saracens at Keyham on Friday.