PLYMSTOCK Oaks and OPMs will be looking to bag some silverware this weekend, while Old Techs and Devonport Services II will be hoping to secure cup final appearances.
Western West outfit Oaks will host Counties Two Devon champions Torquay Athletic at Horsham Fields on Saturday in the final of the Devon Intermediate Cup (2.30pm).
It should be a good contest as Oaks sit fourth in their league and Torquay have won all their matches in the league below to secure a place in Western West for next season.
“Torquay are on a run with Dan Williams and George Mills coaching them,” said Oaks head coach Lewis Paterson.
“They are a good club with a good history. We’ll see what they bring, but we do know that Dan Williams will bring a well-drilled side with a bit of experience.
“It is a cup final and so it is all or nothing.
“I think what everyone likes about us is that we do play some good rugby. We will score some electric tries.
“I think we are just going to go out and have a good game and try and look to play expansive.
“It’s great for the club to be in a final. We beat Cullompton, who were in the league above, to get there and now it would be good to win it. It would be another step in the right direction. We’ll certainly have a good shot at it.”
He added: “I think everyone will be wanting to put their hand up to play in a home cup final.
“The good thing is when you can have more people on the bench, it does give you a chance to bring in some of those fringe players.”
The only player that is likely to be a doubt for Oaks is forward Ollie White who has been struggling with an injury.
Just down the road, OPMs will also be hosting a cup final at King George V Playing Fields on Saturday (2.30pm).
They are playing lower league Salcombe in the Devon Junior Bowl.
A club spokesperson said: “As hosts, we’ll be looking forward to welcoming Salcombe to the club and all those from Devon RFU on the day, as well as an expected large crowd from the OPM faithful to roar the boys on.
“It’s going to be a terrific day and we’re hoping to add some silverware to the trophy cabinet.”
Both Devon cup finals will be charging an admission price as per the rules of the competitions.
Old Techs will be looking to book their place in the main Devon Junior Cup final on Saturday.
They visit Counties Three Devon North and East side Exeter Athletic in the semi-finals.
The tie should have been played last month but was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
“They are in the other league so we don’t really know a lot about them,” said Techs’ Shaun Bedford-Smith.
“They are at home so that makes it a little bit tougher for us.”
Techs have had a good season and have finished third in Counties Three Devon South & West behind Ivybridge II and Brixham II.
But last week they were beaten 70-13 by a very strong Ivybridge II side at Cross-in-Hand, despite a good opening 40 minutes.
“We just have to pick ourselves up from last week and move on,” said Bedford-Smith. “I don’t think we will be playing a side like what we faced last week, but we’ll see.”
Techs are boosted by the return of servicemen Ben Hockey, Tom Blythe, Jack Williams and Sion Norville.
“We still have a few boys missing, but it’s nice to have a few back. We have got a squad of 20 and we will have a decent side,” said Bedford-Smith.
Devonport Services II will also be aiming to reach a cup final on Saturday when they travel to Topsham II in the semi-finals of the Devon 2nd XV Cup.
The teams have played two good games this season. Services II won 29-21 at Bonfire Field in November but were edged out 48-46 at Keyham at the start of this month.
“We missed a few kicks that day,” said Services head coach Ben Russell. “We do owe them one. The last time out they had a lot of young students out and they do play some good rugby. They are quick and fast.”
Services II are boosted by the return of Al Thomas, Mark Friend, Jack Ryder and Ethan Hilland, but they will be without Ethan Millard, who suffered a suspected MCL injury in the final play of last weekend’s match at Exeter Saracens.
Elsewhere, Saltash II are due to travel to Camborne School of Mines in Counties Three Cornwall, while Plympton Victoria are set to play another second team match this weekend when they host Dartmouth II at St Mary’s Field.
Saltash’s first team had been due to play Perranporth in the semi-finals of the Cornwall Cup, but their opponents have handed them a walkover.