SALTASH and Devonport Services II lock horns again tonight in the final of the Plymouth Combination Lockie Cup (7.30pm).
The sides met in last year’s final, which Services II won 40-29, out-scoring Saltash six tries to five.
But Saltash left out some of their key players last year as they had their eyes on their Papa Johns Community Cup quarter-final.
The Ashes, who did beat Services II 47-17 at home in pre-season, have a similar scenario this year as they have again reach the last eight of the Papa Johns Cup and have a big game against Gloucestershire outfit Frampton Cotterell on Saturday.
However, this year their second team are also playing in the final of the Ellis Trophy on the same night and so they are not able to rest any players.
“We probably didn’t get it quite right last year,” said Saltash’s director of rugby Steve Down.
“Resting people against Services who have such a strong squad didn’t work for us.
“And the tiredness will carry through into Saturday anyway.
“I think we might use a bit of rotation, but with the twos playing as well, we do have to use everyone.”
Saltash have basically named the same team that beat Midsomer Norton in the Papa Johns Cup game last Saturday. The only change is in the second-row where Devon Bennett-Murray comes into the starting line-up for Tom Rixson, who is on the bench.
Lewis Stuart, James Sutton and Axel Nicks, who were on the bench for the first team at the weekend, and Charlie Knight, who was on duty for Cornwall Under-20s, will start for the second team against the Plymouth & Exeter Medics (Squirrels) in the Ellis Trophy final (6pm).
The Medics will be strong opposition for Saltash’s second team. They beat Plympton Victoria 60-20 and Tamar Saracens II 71-0 to reach the final.
Saltash II’s, though, have had a good season and battled hard to narrowly overcome Old Techs by one point to reach the final.
“The benefit we have got is our second team is fully fledged and legitimate league team now,” said Down. “And being in that league for the last two seasons has done them a world of good as they have come on massively. They have much more structure and organisation.”
Services II know what to expect from Saltash and have named a squad with a mix of experience and youth in it.
“It is probably one of the strongest twos sides we have had all year,” said Services head coach Ben Russell.
“It should be a good game and there should be a good crowd there.”
Services II include former Saltash player Kieran Down at fly-half after his recovery from a long-term arm injury.
Also in the team is Mark Friend, who is another player to have missed most of the season due to injury, and Cam Donkin, who is back from holiday.
Sam Bennett will captain the side in his last game before retiring again, while youngsters Sheldon Higgins and Rohan Johnson in their backline, alongside Dylan Harbour and Luke Stannard, who have recently gained some National League experience.
Admission into Brickfields for the two cup finals is £6 for adults. Car parking is limited due to building work going on at the venue, but there is an overflow car park at Stonehouse Creek.