DEVONPORT Services head coach Ben Russell is aware is side will be massive underdogs this weekend when they host table-toppers Camborne at the Rectory in National Two West (2.30pm).
Camborne, who can boast the likes of Josh Matavesi, Kyle Moyle, Jack Andrew and Alex Ducker in their squad, have won nine of their 11 games so far to sit four points clear of second-placed Taunton Titans.
Services, on the other hand, have only won two games and sit at the foot of the table, 33 points behind their opponents this weekend.
But Russell believes his side will be up for the challenge of trying to cause a major upset and claim a third successful home win, after previously overcoming Redruth and Loughborough at the Rectory.
“We are the underdogs; there’s no doubt about it,” said Russell.
“They (Camborne) have a cracking squad. They have spent well and have players who have played Premiership and Championship level. They will also be keen after getting beaten by Cinderford two weeks ago.
“But I know our boys will love the challenge. The lads always do and that’s the thing about playing the Tauntons and Cambornes of this world as they do have ex-Premiership players.
“We’ve got players like Matt Gregory and Liam Jarvis who were playing level eight rugby and now they are playing level four and not looking out of place – they are playing amazingly.”
He added: “We went through the first eight games and we were competitive and battling in most games but would just let ourselves down in the second half. But now we have picked up two wins out of four and we could have had another win last week but just a few little errors cost us massively.”
Services will be missing back-row forward James Hocking, who suffered a concussion last week against Hornets, and back George Pooley, who is away.
However, they are able to welcome back Tom Davies after a one-game suspension, while Joe Stansfield will return to the starting line-up and Cam Donkin could be included in the first team squad for the first time after impressing for the seconds.
The last time the sides met at the Rectory two years ago, Camborne narrowly won 35-27.
REGIONAL ONE SOUTH WEST
RELEGATION-threatened Ivybridge face another massive match as they head to Sidmouth attempting to close the gap on the teams above them.
The Bridgers find themselves 10 points off safety after losing 65-5 at home to Lydney last weekend.
Sidmouth are the team immediately above them in the standings and one of the sides they need to chase down in they want to stay at level five.
Ivybridge did beat Sidmouth 34-32 at Cross-in-Hand in September, but the east Devon side have picked up form and have beaten St Austell, Royal Wootton Bassett and Launceston since mid-October and only lost by one score to Brixham.
But they did lose 27-26 away at bottom side Chew Valley last weekend to drop down to 10th.
“We have nothing to lose,” said Ivybridge head coach Davy McGregor about his team’s away trip.
“Sidmouth have been going quite well. We do have to try and take pressure off the boys, but ultimately, we are in a position where the lads themselves need to understand why they are here and why they want to be here.”
Ivybridge are set to make seven changes to their starting line-up following last week’s heavy defeat.
They are able to welcome back front-row forwards Henry Trudgill and Matt Finn, while Matt Skinner also returns to the pack.
In the backs, James Cantin and Giles Clarke return, while Erdem Mumcu and Harry Lakeman also get another opportunity to start.
COUNTIES ONE WESTERN WEST
PLYMSTOCK Oaks will be expected to return to winning ways after back-to-back defeats when they host winless bottom side Bideford at Horsham Fields on Saturday.
Oaks have dropped down to third in the table after losing to leaders Paignton last weekend and Kingsbridge the previous Saturday.
But they will be big favourites against a Bideford side who only have one single point to their name and who Oaks beat 75-15 away in September.
However, Plymstock head coach Lewis Paterson has warned his team not be complacent.
“I remember years ago at Ivybridge I think we played Old Centralians, who hadn’t won a game all season, but they beat us at home,” said Paterson. “You can get complacent, but I think after two losses on the bounce we won’t be.
“We are still missing a lot of players and are still struggling for wingers.
“But I think we just want to get some processes right from the last couple of games. We just want to rectify some wrongs.”
Paterson is set to return to fly-half after missing last week’s game, while scrum-half Will Scantlebury is also likely to be back, but fellow backs Corey Jamieson and Alex Chapman are missing.
Oaks have reached the halfway point of their season. They sit 10 points behind leaders Paignton and three behind the Pirates Amateurs, who do have a game in hand, but who have to visit Horsham Fields.
“We have played everyone now,” said Paterson. “And I think we are pretty confident we can turn it around.”
Elsewhere in the table, second-from-bottom Tavistock face a tough test at home to fourth-placed Barnstaple II, who beat them 74-7 away earlier in the season.
Tavistock do have Rich Cann, Ethan Lamerton, Kyle Maslen, Solly Hunter and Dan Redstone set to return to their starting line-up from the side that played against Paignton two weeks ago, but they are missing scrum-half Freddie Fuller.
Luke Burbage is set to start at nine, while Josh Langton, Darren Guppy and Jared Hunter are due to line-up on the bench.
“We still have a number of injuries,” said player-coach Hammy Kerswill. “But it’s nice to see Dan Redstone, Josh Langton, Kyle Maslen and Darren Guppy back in the fold.
“We’re excited to see Luke (Burbage) at nine after being somewhat of a stalwart this season after moving up to the seniors.”
He added: “We were blown away at their place and our lack of all-round pace on the day was exposed, but hopefully with George (Cole), Dan (Redstone) and the Hunters (Solly and Jared) back we will have a lot more to offer in both attack and defence.”
COUNTIES TWO
TAMAR Saracens are hoping they might be able to surprise third-placed Honiton at the Parkway on Saturday.
Eighth-placed Sarries have only won one of their last six games and are missing a number of backs this weekend.
But they are hoping they can get back to their best form against Honiton, who beat them 62-6 away at the start of the season.
“When we played Honiton up there we only travelled with 16 or 17 players and got a bit of a hiding,” said Saracens’ head coach Mike Lewis. “But for 45 minutes of the game we were in it and we looked like scoring a few times.
“We have got a better side this time around and hopefully we can give a better account of ourselves.
“It looks like it is going to be a good day for rugby and hopefully we can put in a good performance.”
He added: “This week we have got loads of forwards, but we are struggling for backs.
“We have 20-odd available this week and I think 17 are forwards, so It’s going to be tough to pick the forwards but equally tough to pick the backs!”
OPMs will also have a point to prove when they make the short trip to Stonehouse Creek to take on city rivals Devonport Services II (1.30pm).
Services II beat OPMs 59-5 at the start of the season at King George V Playing Fields.
OPMs have struggled for results in the last couple of months and have only won one of their last five games.
But they hope to be stronger than they have been in recent weeks for Saturday’s derby match.
Services II are likely to be struggling for back-five forwards with so many injured and unavailable.
Cam Donkin is set to be promoted to the first team, although they are hopeful Al Thomas will be back for them, while coach Tom Richards could get a run out.
Second-from-bottom Plymouth Argaum do have a few availability issues for their away trip to Withycombe.
“We do find ourselves a bit light as our Royal Marines have returned home for Christmas leave,” said Argaum head coach Dean Avery.
“But we do hope to welcome back Lee Rowley at nine and Luke McCreath at 10.”
Argaum really could do with a win after losing their last four matches.
They were disappointed to lose 16-14 to Withycombe at the start of the season with the Exmouth-based side kicking a late penalty to win the contest.
In Counties Two Cornwall, leaders Saltash play their final league game of 2024 when they make the trip to 10th-placed Bodmin.
The Ashes are 10 points clear at the top of the table and have only lost one league game in the whole of the last 12 months, which was a narrow 26-20 loss to last season’s title-rivals Redruth II in March.
If they can keep that record going, then they will finally secure promotion back to level seven after narrowly missing out by the smallest of margins in the past two seasons.
They do have a good recent record against Bodmin, who they beat 86-0 at Moorlands Lane at the start of the season.
However, Bodmin are much better at home and they beat Newquay Hornets in their last game at Clifden Park.
Saltash forward Ryan Rayner is set to make his 300th first team appearance for the Moorlands Lane club on Saturday.
COUNTIES THREE
THE big game in Devon South & West this weekend is at Cross-in-Hand where second-placed Ivybridge II host in-form fourth-placed side Salcombe.
Both clubs will start the day on 35 points, although Salcombe have played a game more.
In a tight battle at the top of the league, just one point separates the top four, with Brixham II and Old Techs the other sides battling it out at the top.
Salcombe opened up the title race by beating Brixham II a couple of weeks ago.
Last week’s match between Old Techs and Ivybridge II should have produced a new leader of the division, but the fixture at Weston Mill was abandoned on 34 minutes with Techs leading 7-5 after a tree fell down at the side of the pitch.
Ivybridge II are able to welcome back Wes Vermigle, Jack Mitchell, Matt Gilbury and Luke Martell to face Salcombe.
Old Techs are due to host Plympton Victoria at Weston Mill and they like Ivybridge II and Salcombe could move top if they were to win as Brixham II are without a match this weekend.
Plymstock Oaks II are without a league fixture, while in Counties Three Cornwall, Saltash II host St Agnes at Moorlands Lane.