DEVONPORT Services face a massive match away at fellow strugglers Hinckley on Saturday in National Two West.
The sides fill the bottom two positions, with Hinckley five points ahead of Services who are still waiting for their first win since their promotion from Regional One South West.
Injury-hit Devonport are giving themselves the best chance to try and pick up some valuable points with their first overnight stay.
It is the first of two big away matches for the Rectory-based club who make the long trip to Macclesfield the following week.
“They are near the bottom and two go down, so the next two weeks are massive,” admitted Services’ head coach Ben Russell.
“Yes, we are away from home, but we have to try and get something out of these games.
“We just want to get off the mark and build, but we just haven’t been there yet. However, we played all what you could say could be the top sides and Exeter University’s BUCS team.
“We’ll just go and try and do our best. We are travelling overnight, which will be a good experience for the boys.”
Services are boosted by having Kyle Felton, James Hocking, Henry Gliddon and Richard West back, while Mike Hunt as recovered from an injury he picked up last weekend against Clifton.
However, Dylan Daley, Harrison Coonick, Toby Knowles, Matt Neyle, Mark Friend, Mike Rickard and Joe Stansfield remain on the injury list.
Leighton Stark is set to get a second successive start after making his full debut last week against Clifton, while Billy Sutton could be added to the first team squad.
Hinckley, who are coached by former Plymouth Albion and Exeter back Emyr Lewis, have won just one of their six games – a 32-26 home success over Clifton. Their defeats have come against Camborne, Hornets, Cinderford, Loughborough Students and Luctonians.
REGIONAL ONE SOUTH WEST
AFTER three heavy defeats in a row, Ivybridge have to pick themselves up for a big home game against Devon rivals Brixham in Regional One South West.
The Bridgers were hammered 80-15 away at Barnstaple last weekend, which followed on from a 49-15 home loss to Launceston and a 78-8 away defeat at Royal Wootton Bassett.
But Ivybridge are able to welcome a host of players back from injury this weekend and head coach Davy McGregor is looking for a positive response.
“We have a few guys back and we just need a reaction to last week,” he said.
“No matter what the excuses were, we need to see a positive reaction.
“It gives us a bit of confidence knowing we have some injuries back – I think we have six returning – and playing at home in front our home crowd. Hopefully, that helps make it a more enjoyable experience for the boys.”
He added: “I said to the boys, we keep talking about results and results and it can become very negative and what we want is the boys to enjoy themselves and just be proud, that no matter what the result, that they haven’t left anything out there.
“There was a point last week where we were in control – our line-out and scrum were dominating – but we just seemed to be lacking that bit of belief that we could go on and win the game.
“We know we have a challenge this week. They (Brixham) are always a good side, but from our perspective it is nice opportunity especially at home.”
Giles Clarke, Ben Fallows, Hamish Harris, Adam Lilley and Mark Finn are among those set to return for Ivybfridge, while Erdem Mumcu is set to make his debut on the wing.
COUNTIES ONE WESTERN WEST
EARLY season leaders Plymstock Oaks are likely to face their toughest test of the season on Saturday when they make the trip down to Penzance to take on the Pirates Amateurs at Mennaye Field in Western West.
Oaks have won their opening five matches with bonus points, but the Pirates are in fourth place and their two defeats have only been by just one score to fellow high-flyers Paignton and Wiveliscombe.
“It should be a good game,” said Oaks head coach Lewis Paterson.
“The Pirates are a good side and they are going to be very similar to Penryn. It is probably a blessing that we played Penryn last week.
“I think the last two years we have won down there. They do have a nice, big pitch, which should suit our rugby, if the weather is in our favour. We should also have some lads coming back.
“We’ll look at the squad and we’ll see how we tactically approach it.”
Tavistock also have a vital game down in west Cornwall on Saturday as they take on fellow strugglers St Ives.
Both sides have only won one match – St Ives beating Bude 22-20 on the opening day of the season and Tavistock overcoming Bideford 36-14 at home.
“It is another big game for us,” said Tavistock player-coach and captain Hammy Kerswill.
“It would be great to get points away from home.
“We are going to be ringing the changes again and there are a few late calls.”
One of those late calls is likely to be Kerswill himself as he is struggling with a foot injury.
Tavistock are set to welcome back Jack Rock and Soco O’Connor, while veteran Jim Brown could make his debut at prop.
COUNTIES TWO
OPMs will be looking to make it three wins in a row on Saturday when they host bottom side Dartmouth at King George V Playing Fields.
The Old Boys lost their opening three matches against city rivals Plymouth Argaum, Devonport Services and Tamar Saracens, but they have responded with wins against Exmouth II and South Molton to move up to sixth.
They will probably be favourites this weekend as Dartmouth have yet to win after their promotion, but OPMs are not taking their South Hams opponents lightly.
“Hopefully things are on the up for us,” said captain Billy Garratt.
“But Dartmouth is a tricky one, like South Molton was. Dartmouth did not lose for a long time and they are a very physical side and know how to play rugby. It will be an interesting one.”
Devonport Services II will be looking to continue their unbeaten start to the season when they host Exmouth II at the Rectory.
Services II have won five out of five, while Exmouth II only have one win to their name – a 22-19 home win over Plymouth Argaum last week.
“We are really looking forward to Exmouth II,” said Services II player-coach Tom Richards. “I think this is one of the best runs the twos side have been on for a while.
“But I have said to the boys ‘let’s just keep our feet on the ground and keep going’. We just have to keep working hard.”
Fifth-placed Tamar Saracens will be targeting a fourth win in six games since their promotion when they host Withycombe at the Parkway on Saturday.
Withycombe surprisingly handed Torquay Athletic a walkover last weekend, but they have a side this week.
“They have confirmed that they have a team,” said Saracens’ head coach Mike Lewis.
Tamar Saracens, who are the only team this season to beat Exeter Saracens, were beaten 35-7 last weekend by Services II.
“We were pleased and disappointed at the same time last week,” said Lewis.
“I thought we could have won, which sounds silly when you are 30 points down.
“But we didn’t quite stick to what we usually do. I think how good they (Services II) had been against every other team got to us so we couldn’t quite make the right decisions. If we had made a few better decisions, it would have been a lot closer game.
“And I think if we had used our forwards more effectively, I think we could have pipped them.
“I think it was a missed chance for us, at least in terms of getting a bonus point or a couple of points out of it.
“But we feel like we learned a lot from last week and we have proven that these top teams like Exeter Saracens and Services that they are beatable. Yes, we have to be at our very best to beat them, but they are beatable.”
Plymouth Argaum are desperately hoping they can get a win when they host fellow strugglers South Molton at Bickleigh Down on Saturday.
Argaum won their opening match against OPMs, but have since suffered four defeats in a row, although they have picked up three bonus points in those matches.
South Molton’s only win of the season also came on the opening day when they edged out Topsham II at home.
“It is a bit of a must-win,” said Argaum head coach Dean Avery. “We need to be getting five points with them travelling to us.
“We have got a strong team again. We are now starting to get the same names on the team sheet, which is good.”
In Counties Two Cornwall, Saltash face possibly their biggest test of the season when they make the long trip down to fellow unbeaten side Helston.
The sides since first and second in the division and both have been running in some big scores.
Helston appear to be a much better side than last season, when Saltash achieved two big wins over them.
Fly-half Harry Walsh-Newton, who joined Helston from Falmouth in the summer, has been helping them tick this season.
Saltash have suffered a blow with news that highly-rated lock Lewis Woolaway is facing a few months on the sidelines after suffering two breaks in his lower leg in training.
Also in Counties Two Cornwall, Liskeard-Looe host Wadebridge II at Lux Park.
COUNTIE THREE
IT IS set to be a special weekend for Plympton Victoria, who are set to field two sides on the same day.
After years of struggling to get one team out, Plym Vic now have enough players to have a second string.
The first team, who are still looking for their first Devon South & West league win of the season, head to Paignton II, who have two wins to their names so far, but who have lost heavily to Old Techs, Ivybridge II and Brixham II.
Plym Vic’s new second team, meanwhile, will play the Plymouth Dolphins at St Mary’s Field.
Unbeaten Old Techs have been handed a walkover by Tavistock II, who have still yet to play a game this season, while Plymstock Oaks II have handed unbeaten leaders Ivybridge II a walkover.
In Counties Three Cornwall, Saltash II make the long trip to west Cornwall to take on St Ives II. It will be a busy day at St Ives as their first team are also hosting Tavistock.