PLYMOUTH Argaum will be looking to pick up some more silverware on Saturday when they take on Dartmouth away in the delayed 2022-23 Devon Junior Bowl final (1.45pm).
The showpiece event should have been played in April, but had to be delayed after Dartmouth reached the Papa Johns Community Cup final.
Argaum, who won the Counties Two Devon West title last year, had wanted to play it as a pre-season game but they were told it had to be an ‘in-season’ fixture. So the match will finally take place this weekend, with both teams now in different divisions.
Argaum sit 10th in Counties Two Devon, with just one win from their opening five games since promotion, while Dartmouth currently lie second in Counties Three Devon South & West, with five wins out of five.
“It’s really frustrating this wasn’t played last year,” admitted Argaum head coach Dean Avery. “It would have been nice to have tried to get a double last year, but we are where we are.
“To be honest, we could have done with a rest this weekend, but we have enough depth in the squad to put out a decent team.
“We are looking forward to the game. It’s a big opportunity to try and get back to winning ways.
“We know Dartmouth are strong. I don’t think they have lost yet this season, so it’s going to be a challenge up there, but we have a lot of people coming back.
“They are going to want to beat us and prove they can be at our level as well. They will have looked at our results and will think we are up for the taking, but hopefully we can have the right mind-set and prove that we should have been promoted.”
Argaum have lost fly-half Billy Stockwell for a while after he broke his hand against Devonport Services II, but they do hope to have Tom Worboys, Dan Shepherd, Adam Fitzpatrick, Al Sullivan, John-Paul Browning, Owen Gocher and Reece Gocher back. They have also added former DHSOB fly-half Rhys Vince to their squad. He has returned to rugby after a lengthy spell out of the game due to head injury.
There will also be a cup game at the Rectory, where Devonport Services III take on Saltash II in the Ellis Trophy.
Saltash are set to give former Old Techs prop Harley Adams a chance to impress at hooker, while Devon Bennett-Murray could make his return after missing the start of the season.
OPMs Jesters are also in action on Saturday when they play the University of Plymouth III.
In Counties Three Devon South & West Tavistock II will be hoping to finally pick up their first win of the season when they host Paignton II at Sandy Park.
Tavistock will also get a third team out this weekend. They will entertain Topsham II at Sandy Park.