AFTER losing Devon cup finals at the weekend, Devonport Services II and Old Techs have another chance to try and pick up some silverware tonight when the Plymouth Combination finals conclude at Brickfields.
Devonport Services II, who were beaten by their Barnstaple counterparts in the Devon 2nd XV Cup final on Saturday, will take on Counties Two Cornwall runners-up Saltash for the chance to lift the Lockie Cup (7.30pm).
Meanwhile, Techs, who were edged out by New Cross in the Devon Junior Bowl final, will battle it out with their league rivals Plymstock Oaks II for the Ellis Trophy (6pm).
The match between Services II and Saltash is a repeat of last year’s thrilling Lockie Cup semi-final where Devonport came from 18-0 behind to snatch a last-gasp 31-30 victory.
Both sides will feel they have improved since last year and will be keen to put on another memorable game.
“If you look out our twos side from last year to this year, it is so much better,” said Services head coach Ben Russell. “We have really improved.
“Saltash have their Papa Johns Cup game coming up so they will have one eye on that, but we know they will still put out a strong side and it should be a good game.”
With a national quarter-final tie away at Old Patesians coming up on Saturday, Saltash, who beat Gordon League last weekend, will make use of their strong squad and make a number of changes to their side for tonight’s final.
Ryan Cruickshanks, Greg Eatwell, Billy Dover, Jack Pritchard, Rob Walsh, Phil Eatwell, James Sutton and Ryan Rayner are the only players who started Saturday’s match against Gordon League who will start against Services II.
Simon Nance, Liall Honey, Lewis Wells and Jay Moriaty are named on the bench, but Will Morton, Danny Snook and Tom Rixon are not included in the squad.
However, they do welcome back powerful forward Devon Bennett-Murray, while Matt Coker, Ryan Simmons, Ryan Wilson and Nick Blake get their chance to impress from the start. There is also a rare start for Max Venables, who will be playing on ‘home’ soil as managing director of Plymouth Albion.
Services II are set to name a similar side which played at Barnstaple II on Saturday in the Devon cup competition, although they are likely to make a couple of changes.
Their first team do not play again until May 4 when they host Exmouth at the Rectory in the Devon Senior Cup final.
Old Techs are also looking for a response to their cup loss to New Cross at the weekend.
“We just have to pick ourselves up now,” said Techs’ Shaun Bedford-Smith. “There’s probably a few sore bodies.
“But we have a second bite at the cherry. We are very lucky to be in two cup finals. There’s not too many teams get into two in a season. We lost the first one, so we just have to pick ourselves up pretty quickly for the second one.”
Techs and Oaks II finished sixth and seventh in Counties Three Devon South & West, but both proved on their day that they could match the top sides in the division.
Oaks will have plenty of experience in their squad this evening, with the likes of Andy Porter, Stuart Collyer, Ryan Wills, Macdonald Lewis, Mitieli Caqara, Peni Turua and Olly Whitfield included alongside some of the club’s younger players.
Admission into the finals night at Brickfields is £5 for adults, with under-16s admitted free.