TAVISTOCK’S new-look team could not have asked for a tougher test to life back in Counties Two Devon with a home game against title-favourites Devonport Services II.

Tavistock endured a tough season last term in Western West, winning just three games as they were relegated along with Bideford and Bude.

They have since welcomed Leigh Puttock has their new head coach and are rebuilding around a host of young players, who have come through the club’s ranks.

“Morale is very high – the guys are buzzing,” said Puttock ahead of the new season.

“What I like is there is a real nice family atmosphere here – and that’s what this club should be about.”

He added: “Devonport Services are going to be the favourites and we are the underdogs, but we are happy with that.

“They are in the league, so you have to play them.”

Puttock has told his team that whatever happens on Saturday, not to let it define their season.

Tavistock have strengthened their squad with a couple of Royal Marines and some players who have moved to the area.

“We have got enough new lads not to take it away from the guys that worked hard last year to keep the club together,” said Puttock.

But their squad is likely to be built around players like Liam Watts, Jack Rock, Calum Baker, Vaughan Glover, Freddie Fuller and Tylo Coupland, who are all still young but who have gained considerable first team experience in the last couple of seasons.

“The good thing is that a lot of the key players are still young lads,” said Puttock. “We are really pleased with that.”

Tavistock, though, are set to face a particularly strong Devonport Services II side.

Services’ pack is likely to include former Tavistock star Mark Friend, who is returning from missing most of last season with injury, Andy Pond, Hayden Thomas and former Saltash players Rob Walsh and Freddie Dover, who were all unlucky to miss out on Devonport’s first team squad.

Services II have been pushing for promotion for a couple of seasons, but have just lost their way towards the end of each campaign.

However, this year, Devonport have a stronger squad with key first team players back from injury and their first team can only have three on the bench in Regional One, whereas last year they had a bench of five in National Two West, which took players away from their second team.

“If we want to progress as a club, we need to get promoted so that we have a team at level seven,” said Services head coach Ben Russell.

“The target is to get both teams up, but there are a lot of good sides in the leagues.

“I think our second team is stronger this year, but we’ll see how we go at Tavistock.”

OPMs’ new head coach James Digweed is excited about the new Counties Two Devon season.

The Old Boys have finished seventh and eighth in the last two campaigns at level eight and Digweed would love to see the team push on yet again.

“We are as ready as we can be,” said Digweed ahead of their opening match at home to newly-promoted Crediton II.

“Training has been going really well and we’ve had great numbers.

“We have been working a lot on our shape and structure and I’m really happy.

“We selected a team on Tuesday night when we normally do it Thursday. We have a squad of 18, but we had 11 disappointed not to play – I don’t think we have ever been in that position.”

Those that didn’t make the cut for the first team this weekend, will get the chance to join up with Tavistock IIs to play Devonport Services III at Sandy Park.

Digweed certainly does not expect an easy game against Crediton II on Saturday.

“Crediton II have come up this season, but we are quite familiar with them,” he said. “Three years ago we beat them at home which basically secured us promotion. There was a bit of a rivalry there.

“They are a bit like Devonport Services – they are probably the closest you can compare them to. Their first team is quite high up and they will be training at that level and have that coaching.

“We certainly don’t think it is going to be easy. We know it is going to be challenging, but we are confident.”

Digweed feels the league is going to be tougher this season.

“No disrespect to the teams that went down, but having Ivybridge II and Crediton II come up and Tavistock and Bideford coming down, who both not so long ago were doing well in the league above, is going to make the league more challenging this year,” he said.

“But we still have aspirations. We finished eighth two years ago and seventh last year and so our sensible aim should be to finish in the top five, which would be great.

“But there is a genuine believe, with the coaching team we have in place and how well we are training that it could be higher.

“We’ve had good retention. I don’t think we have lost too many and we have some new boys come in.”

The big boost for OPMs was keeping Fred and Matt Smale, despite interest from higher league clubs.

Fred will be co-captain, alongside forward Sonny Rowe.

“Having been Devon U20s captain last season, Matt did have a lot of interest and there were a lot of clubs after him, but we have managed to keep him and we are very happy about that,” said Digweed.

“Both him and his brother are brilliant players. There were a lot of times last season where we were needing some points at the end of a game and Fred or Matt would pull something magical out. They helped us out massively throughout the last few seasons and it is great that we can keep them both.”

Ivybridge II will also be playing in Counties II Devon again this season after a campaign at level nine.

The Bridgers’ second team, known as the Vandals, edged out Brixham II and Old Techs for the Counties Three Devon South & West title last term.

They will start life back at level eight with a home game against Topsham II (1.30pm).

“We’ve got a good strong team in the twos,” said Ivybridge head coach Steve Aktinson. “But also have four debutants – two of which are 18 year-olds.

He added: “I’ve heard how Topsham play but don’t know too much about their twos. I think they finished mid-table last year, but their ones got promoted, so I imagine they will be pretty strong.

“I think it (Counties Two Devon) is going to be like it was two years ago when we were last in it. It was a really strong division then. The lads are really looking forward to that.”