DEVONPORT Services have a crucial home match against Hinckley on Saturday in National Two West.
The league’s bottom side know they really need to beat their 10th-placed Leicestershire opponents this weekend to have any hope of moving off the foot of the table.
But Services know it will be tough against an in-form Hinckley side, who have beaten Cinderford and Hornets in the last few weeks and only lost by one score to title-chasing Camborne and Clifton.
“They are a good side,” said Services head coach Ben Russell. “And they have picked up. They only lost by five points to Camborne last week.”
Hinckley, who are coached by former Albion and Exeter player Emyr Lewis, beat Services 55-22 at their place in October.
“When we played them away we gave them a real head start,” said Russell. “It was quite even in the second half – I think we might have even won it – but we just gave them that big start.”
Services, themselves, feel like they have picked up and they were encouraged by their performance last week away at title hopefuls Clifton.
Devonport eventually lost 42-26 in Bristol after conceding a late converted try, but they did pick up a try scoring bonus point.
“We are doing well,” said Russell. “Yeah, it would be lovely to pick up some more wins – and we should have – but for our first hurrah into National Two, it’s been okay.”
Russell knows it is an important match this weekend.
“They are one of the teams around us and it’s our home game,” he said.
Services are likely to be missing Andy Pond, who is struggling with a toe problem. It means Joe Stansfield could come back into the starting line-up with Matt Gregory moving back to the second-row.
Mark Friend did make his comeback after a season-long injury in Services II’s win over OPMs last weekend, but he suffered a slight setback in training during the week and he is unlikely to be risked this week.
However, another player that has been on the sidelines all season, Matt Neyle, is set to make his long-awaited return in their second team against Dartmouth.
REGIONAL ONE SOUTH WEST
IVYBRIDGE have parted company with head coach Davy McGregor ahead of their trip to Exmouth in Regional One South West.
The Bridgers are facing relegation from level five. They are currently bottom of the table and are 14 points away from safety with just five games to go.
In a statement the club said: “We regret to inform you that after much consideration, Davy McGregor will be stepping down as the head coach of Ivybridge RFC senior men’s squad, effective immediately.
“This decision was not made lightly, and we acknowledge the hard work and dedication Davy has shown during his tenure.
“We want to express our deepest gratitude for his contribution, which have positively impacted our team and community.
“His commitment, effort, and leadership have been truly valued.
“We wish Davy all the best all the best in his future endeavours and think him for his services to our organisation.”
The team know there is nothing to lose now, and the players are just looking to try and end a tough campaign on a high.
Steve Atkinson and Jamie Tripcony will oversee the team in the final few weeks as they club consider candidates for the head coach role.
“Atki just put something on the team-sheet now about how we have had two good sessions with a lot of energy, and how we just want to enjoy ourselves and throw the ball around a bit,” said team manager Neil Thomson.
“Exmouth is always a difficult place to go and after this week we would have preferred a home fixture, but we just have to go up and give it a go. Looking at the weather conditions it could be a bit muddy.”
Ivybridge do make changes to their team from their last league game two weeks ago when they lost 66-14 to Chew Valley.
Chey Bryce, Adam Northcott, Will Peakman, Michael Jenson and Matt Bailey come in to the pack, with Adam Lilley, Hayden Coles, Dan Skeemer and Aaron Joint coming into the backline.
Ivybridge lost 60-14 on their last league trip to Exmouth so they will be hoping to improve on that and maybe upset the team sitting in third place.
COUNTIES ONE WESTERN WEST
FOURTH-placed Plymstock Oaks are determined to try and end their Western West league season on a high.
Oaks have five games left, starting with Wiveliscombe at home on Saturday.
“We don’t want to lose now for the rest of the season,” said Oaks head coach Lewis Paterson. “I think that is the big target – that and also getting two teams out every week.
“Are remaining games are targetable ones to win.”
He added: “We have a reasonable amount of players available this weekend so we should be getting two sides out.
“We have some good players available, so it is going to be a selection headache, especially around the forwards.
“It’s a long trip for Wiveliscombe and it’s that time of the season when you don’t know how well teams will travel, but they will be a good side.
“They were a tough side to beat up there and they are a decent outfit in the league.
“We just have to try and start with a bit of a bang as then it becomes quite hard for teams to get into the game after a long journey.”
Paterson feels Oaks have their best availability in a number of weeks.
“Pirates was probably the last time we had the same,” said Paterson. “And that’s still one I’m kicking myself over as we just didn’t seal that game out, but, fair play to the Pirates, they just never gave up.”
However, one player that is likely to be missing is Lewie Riley, who is struggling with injury.
Tavistock player-coach Hammy Kerswill has described Saturday’s home match against seventh-placed Kingsbridge as ‘probably the most important game of the season for us’.
Tavistock sit second-from-bottom in the standings. They are six points behind third-from-bottom Penryn, but they do have a game in hand, and they are 11 points away from getting out of the bottom three.
Nobody knows exactly how many teams will go down from the league. Clubs were told at the start of the season that it might be none, but that it could be up to three.
“If we don’t pick up a win we are really pilling the pressure on with tricky away fixtures,” added Kerswill.
“We have a VPs and sponsors day and everything to play for.
“We were embarrassed up there early season (73-5) when we struggled to get a team to travel on their old boys’ day, but we do know they are a team we can and have beaten.”
Tavistock do have Sam Palmer returning for Tylo Coupland, who is unavailable this week.
Liam Watts make his return to the starting line-up after a lengthy spell out, while Ethan Lamerton is also back. Ollie Plummer keeps his place on the wing after an encouraging display against Bude.
COUNTIES TWO
TAMAR Saracens will be looking to move clear of the relegation zone on Saturday when they travel to fellow strugglers South Molton.
Sarries sit fourth-from-bottom, three points and one place above South Molton, while second-from-bottom Exmouth II are six points behind.
“It is a relatively big one,” said Tamar Saracens head coach Mike Lewis.
“We do have quite a lot of boys away, but we still have a good side going up.
“We beat them at home (33-13) and the result looked quite comfortable, however, watching the video back it wasn’t. They had some strong ball carriers and they are a good side.
“What we did well last time was to nullify their carrying options which meant they didn’t get the go-forward they wanted, but it took a lot out of us to keep them out.
“They have some big boys and as soon as they get close to the line they tend to go quite tight and it’s difficult to get the ball off them.”
Adam Coutts and Joe Staniforth are among those missing for Sarries, who also have their navy players away.
“Backline we are fine, we are just missing a few forwards – just missing a bit of depth in the second and back-row,” said Lewis.
Time is running out for bottom side Plymouth Argaum to try and get out of the relegation zone.
They know they really need to try and pick up some points away at Topsham II this Saturday.
“We really do need something on the road,” said Argaum head coach Dean Avery.
“It’s going to be difficult. Availability is going to be key. We need to travel strong and try and get something on the road as games are slipping away from us now.”
OPMs also have a tough away task on Saturday when they travel to unbeaten league leaders Torquay.
The Old Boys have been in good form. They won three in a row before narrowly losing last week against second-placed Devonport Services.
“We have some tough games ahead before we finish our season against Argaum,” said OPMs head coach Andy Williams.
“Who knows what team Torquay will put out. They are flying and they have quality across the squad so we know we are up against it.
“But I think we have shown we are good enough to be in this league.”
At the top end of the table, Devonport Services II visit eighth-placed Dartmouth, who pushed them hard at home earlier in the season.
“I think we really underestimated Dartmouth when they came to our place,” admitted Services II player-coach Tom Richards. “Credit to them, they have come up from the league below and they are putting in some good performances. I’m sure they will be looking to cause an upset.”
Services II are boosted by having Matt Neyle back from injury and Jack Ryder back from navy duties.
In Counties Two Cornwall, Saltash could possibly win the title on Saturday, if they beat Hayle at home and second-placed Helston failed to beat Perranporth away.
Even if they do not claim the league crown this weekend, Saltash would have four more chances to pick up the points they need to guarantee promotion.
Hayle will arrive at Moorlands Lane sitting third-from-bottom in the standings, with just five wins to their name.
When they sides met in west Cornwall in November, Saltash won 74-7.
In their last three league matches against Hayle, the Ashes have always scored 74 points or more.
Saltash, whose second team have been handed another walkover in Counties Three, have switched up their side a bit this weekend.
Pete Harrigan will make his first team debut on the wing, while Charlie Knight and Finley Jones are handed starts in the pack and Billy Dover will line-up at fly-half.
Ethan Stone and Fredd Dover are also named on the bench.
COUNTIES THREE DEVON SOUTH & WEST
OLD Techs know they need to beat Brixham II at home on Saturday to keep alive their hopes of securing promotion from Devon South & West.
Techs have been locked in a three-horse race for most of the season with Brixham II and Ivybridge II.
Currently just five points separate the top three, with Ivybridge II leading on 62 points, Brixham II on 61 and Techs on 57. However, Brixham II do have a game in hand, while Techs do still have both title rivals to play.
“There’s no getting away from it, this is must-win game for us,” said Techs’ Shaun Bedford-Smith. “It’s a bit of a cup final.
“We know we only have a slim chance of getting promoted, but that chance is still there even though it is slim.
“Ivybridge and Brixham are in the driving seats, but we just want to cling on to the slim chance.”
He added: “We have not played much rugby in the last six weeks, so we have to start well, which has been a bit of an issue for us. We also need to be more clinical.
“When you are playing the better sides you don’t get so many chances, so you have to make sure you take the ones you do get, which we probably didn’t do against Ivybridge II.
“It is a big day for us as we have a sponsors and old boys’ day and the re-opening of the clubhouse.
“The clubhouse has been totally refurbished and it has taken a lot of effort from players and officials and some kind help from sponsors.
“It’s going to be a community facility and we have got some live entertainment on between 7-9pm on Saturday.
“We are looking forward to the day.
“On the field, I think we just want to show that we have learned from when we played Brixham last time.
“In the first 20 minutes away against them, we just did not turn up, but they played very well, as they did in the final 10 minutes.
“In the middle part of the game we more than held our own, but that’s not good enough. You can’t give teams like that any sniff.
“After that match we spoke about learning from it and we’ll see if we have!”.
Ivybridge II will be hoping to take advantage of their title rivals playing each other when they entertain Torquay II at home.
In the same division, Plympton Victoria will host Plymstock Oaks II, who have confirmed that they do have a team to make the short trip after handing out a number of walkovers this season.
Plym Vic would love a way to overtake their opponents and move out of the bottom two.
“We have good availability,” said chairman Chris Hunt. “We have a full bench and a few extras, so we are not short of manpower.
“But we just have to see how we perform on the day.
“We did quite well against them last time, so I think they will be looking to prove a point.”